A MAN who has been central to improving the skills of workers in the North East for over a decade is to retire this month.
Chris Roberts, who was head of the Learning and Skills Council until it closed last year, is stepping down as national executive director (North) of the Skills Funding Agency.
Roberts, 60, from Corbridge in Northumberland has been with the Skills Funding Agency and LSC since it began in 2001 and during that time has had local, regional and national executive roles.
Before joining the LSC, he worked at Newcastle City Council for several years and then North Tyneside Council, where he held various senior management roles, finally as executive director.
He said: “I have been fighting for skills in the North East for a long time and have been very fortunate to have worked with many dedicated people and organisations that have helped develop the skills of individuals and employers.
“I am also grateful for the help and support of all the staff I have worked with over the years. Without them, I would not have been able to do the job. In the last decade, we have benefited from brand new, state-of-the-art further education (FE) colleges offering the ideal environment in which young people and adults can flourish and meet their full potential.
“Great progress has been made in equipping those who need it most with essential skills for life and, thanks to the hugely successful apprenticeship programme and other work-based learning initiatives, our employers have a workforce ready to hit the ground running.
“Skills is a buzz word along with growth and fairness and the success of the FE sector and the business community in meeting the needs of learners and employers has been key to this.”
Outside of his paid work, Roberts has also sat on the boards of a number of charitable organisations in the region, including Tyneside Cinema and North Country Leisure and this work will continue. He is also on the board for Durham County Cricket Club Foundation and is President of Corbridge Cricket Club.
“The last decade has seen many challenges and the next 10 years will be no different,” he added.
“The relationship between the FE sector and employers will be even more vital as we focus on strengthening the economy.
“Employers in this region have invested in the skills of their people and this must continue.”
