Jersey 'lacks modern vocation training facilities'

Jersey "lacks modern, fit-for-purpose, accessible vocational training infrastructure", a review by politicians has said.

The Children, Education, and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel has been looking into available lifelong learning opportunities.

Scrutiny panel chair Deputy Catherine Curtis said it was found Jersey's "current system presents substantial barriers to access, lacks cohesion across providers, and does not fully support the Island's future skills needs".

She added she hoped the review highlighted to the government what changes were needed.

Curtis said: "Awareness of vocational opportunities is low and is often hampered by funding arrangements - with unclear rules and restrictions - that prevent degree holders from retraining in essential fields, such as teachers seeking to become social workers.

"We have outlined several key recommendations in our report, which we would encourage this government – and future governments – to give serious consideration to".

Among the panel's findings was a determination that Highlands College provided "a broad range of vocational programmes" and continued to play a central role in the delivery of Lifelong Learning opportunities".

But the review also said the campus was "outdated" and there was a "lack of a centralised physical hub that brings together learners, employers, and providers".

Highlands' head teacher has spoken about infrastructure problems before.

Jo Terry-Marchant, principal at Highlands College and University College Jersey, said in 2025 the current college estate was "outdated, inflexible and no longer fit for purpose in many areas".

She added that Highlands was spending £3m on maintenance over two years which "isn't good use of taxpayers' money".

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