campus into something that looks like a shopping

centre or

airport

complex

rather than

an institution

A TRAILBLAZING £235m project to develop England's biggest education programme could create exciting learning opportunities here in Halton.

Graham Hilton, newly appointed principal of Halton College, was one of the catalysts of Doncaster's pioneering Education City and believes we could follow their example.

This visionary innovation links school, training, college and university education to business and the community.

A new waterfront college has opened and five area campuses, a university and countless networking projects are in the pipeline.

"A number of things from this wide ranging project could easily be developed in Halton," said Mr Hilton. "We need to increase participation, improve basic skills and develop skills of the workforce. The key to development is working with partners."

A new college campus in Widnes is one of his key objectives.

"My hope is to review the plans," said Mr Hilton. "I would like to develop new facilities in Widnes just as we have in Runcorn."

He wants to encourage more people, of all ages, into education.

"I want to make people realise they can have a second chance and make learning exciting. I'd like to turn the campus in Widnes into something that looks more like a shopping centre or airport complex to attract everyone, rather than an institution."

Just four weeks in his new job, Mr Hilton is gradually getting to know his 450 staff and 9,000 students. A business graduate, he has worked in further education for 27 years.

"Majoring in marketing, I learnt to focus on the customer," said Mr Hilton.

"People have different expectations. We need to remember that education isn't something that can only be delivered in college, we have to go out and work with community groups and industry. We've got to make it easy for people to study and offer flexible times."

He added: "It's an exciting time to be in Halton, there is so much new development."