Jersey Faces Shortfall in Contemporary Skills and Training Centres

Jersey’s vocational training infrastructure is “outdated and not fit for purpose,” according to a recent review by the Children, Education, and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel. The panel has been examining lifelong learning opportunities available to island residents.

Deputy Catherine Curtis, chair of the scrutiny panel, said the current system “presents substantial barriers to access, lacks cohesion across providers, and does not fully support the Island’s future skills needs.” She added that the review was intended to guide the government on the improvements required.

Curtis noted that awareness of vocational opportunities remains low and funding arrangements are often confusing, preventing professionals—such as degree-holding teachers—from retraining in essential fields like social work. “We have outlined several key recommendations in our report, which we encourage this government – and future administrations – to take seriously,” she said.

The panel praised Highlands College for providing a “broad range of vocational programmes” and for continuing to play a central role in lifelong learning.

However, the review highlighted that the campus itself is “outdated” and there is “no centralised physical hub that brings together learners, employers, and providers.”

Jo Terry-Marchant, principal of Highlands College and University College Jersey, previously raised concerns about the estate. In 2025, she described it as “outdated, inflexible and no longer fit for purpose in many areas,” and noted that £3 million would be spent on maintenance over two years—money she described as “not good use of taxpayers’ funds.”

The scrutiny panel’s findings underline the urgent need for investment in modern, accessible vocational training facilities to ensure Jersey’s workforce is equipped for the future.