Justine Greening has been appointed as education secretary in Theresa May’s Cabinet reshuffle.
The new education secretary will be responsible for schools, colleges and universities. Credit: PA
Greening, who went to school in a Rotherham comprehensive, was previously secretary of state for international development.
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She replaces Nicky Morgan, said she was “looking forward to getting on with the job” when she arrived at the Department for Education.
David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Learning and Work Institute said: “We would like to offer our sincere congratulations to Justine Greening on her new appointment, heading up the Department for Education. We know that she is a Minister who understands the power and importance of lifelong learning because of her involvement in Adult Learners Week 2015.
“We recognise the opportunities created by bringing together FE, Skills and Apprenticeships with schools and early learning. Joining these areas up can create a more coherent and seamless approach to lifelong learning, with real advantage for students, learners and apprentices. I am looking forward to supporting the new minister and her team to realise those benefits.
“It is essential however that FE and skills are not overlooked with the many challenges that schools, early education and higher education present.
“Working with the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), the Association of Colleges (AoC) and other partners we will make sure that these areas remain high on the agenda as further education and skills have never been so important in the current climate of uncertainty.”
Greening studied economics at Southampton University and before entering the House of Commons in 2005 had worked as an accountant.
As well as being responsible for schools, colleges and universities, she becomes the minister for women and equalities.
She will inherit a higher education bill, which could raise tuition fees in England, with a second reading due next week.
Petra Wilton, director of strategy at the Chartered Management Institute, commented: “Bringing apprenticeships, skills and education back under one roof knocks down the artificial wall between academic and vocational learning.
“But employers must stay involved so that educators continue to turn out school leavers and graduates with work-ready skills. CMI will work with Justine Greening, the new education secretary to bring the employers’ voice to the debate. Our work with educators and employers to create the new generation of management apprenticeships shows how well we can all work together to produce tomorrow’s managers and leaders.”
