Baroness Nicky Morgan is to become the Skills and Education Group Foundation’s first Ambassador.

The Foundation exists to support further education and skills providers, learners, and organisations to improve social mobility.  It does this via grant funding, research and by raising the profile of the role colleges play in transforming people’s lives.

Speaking of the role, Baroness Morgan, a former Secretary of State for Education, said:

“I am thrilled to become an Ambassador for the Skills and Education Group Foundation. It is doing fantastic work in the drive for social mobility, and in highlighting the positive impact colleges make.

“I’m a strong advocate for the work the further education sector does in helping to widen participation. It plays a crucial role in serving communities, supporting employers, and equipping learners with fundamental skills that enable them to progress in life.

“I look forward to positively contributing to the Foundation, and seeing what we can do collectively, to further strengthen the sector’s contribution to social mobility.”

Paul Eeles, Chief Executive of the Skills and Education Group, said:

“We are delighted that Baroness Morgan has become an Ambassador for the Foundation and we look forward to her support in the important work we do.

“Nicky is passionate about further education and is a friend of the sector. She has been an avid champion of her local college and, during her time as Secretary of State for Education, witnessed first-hand the positive impact colleges and providers make in advancing social mobility.”

Since it began in May 2019, the Foundation has provided 352 grants to learners totalling £180,424.  Individual grants range from £200 to £1000 and can offer financial support with educational resources, transports costs, living costs, childcare and educational events, and activities.

Baroness Morgan is the former MP for Loughborough and served in the government for eight years where she held various senior Ministerial and Cabinet roles including Secretary of State for Education and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. During her time as Secretary of State for Education she brought forward legislation that enabled college staff to go into schools to speak to students about their post-16 options. She recently became Chair of the Careers and Enterprise Council and is also Chair of the East Midlands Institute of Technology.