I started the day early at the Leeds Skills Board meeting at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, home of the wonderful and world class Leeds Rhinos...

It was great to listen to the quality of the debate and the passion, enthusiasm and commitment as we discussed the agenda for improved economic performance, the impact of the recession on the Leeds labour market and the new arrangements for skills funding across the Leeds City Region. We also briefly touched on the Future Jobs Fund, Foundation Learning and 14 - 19 Diplomas.

The most interesting part of the debate was the constant reference to education, schools and learning as keys to everything we are trying to do to secure the future of Leeds. Everyone who spoke recognised the challenges, the opportunities and the importance of diversity, flexibility, innovation, creativity and enterprise. Everyone recognised that learning was at the heart of all our work and that a shared and powerful vision of the future, strong and highly effective leadership and the uniqueness of Leeds need to be established, recognised, celebrated and shouted from the rooftops.
Chris