On Friday, I had the immense privilege of addressing the Cornwall College Graduates at Truro Cathedral. Standing before them, I was reminded of the enormous potential that resides in our communities. These graduates, from agriculturalists and social care practitioners to boatbuilders and engineers, represent the promise of a generation, committed to building a vibrant, dynamic, and resilient Cornwall.

Colleges like Cornwall College are not just educational establishments; they are engines of opportunity and prosperity, nurturing the skills and talents that underpin our local economy. As a Member of Parliament, I’ve made it my mission to champion further education and technical training, and I will continue to push for more investment in skills and apprenticeships in Cornwall, so that the potential of our young people can be realised, and the spoils of our most promising industries shared as widely as possibly amongst the community.

Yet, challenges remain. Cornwall has faced its share of setbacks, including the loss of A-Level provision at Cornwall College. Restoring this critical pathway for our young people has been a priority for me and Local Councillor Andrea Lanxon. Together, we’ve been working tirelessly to ensure that students in Cornwall have the opportunities they need to succeed right here at home.

The previous Government’s approach to further education was pitiful at best and negligent at worst. Apprenticeship numbers plummeted, resulting in widespread skills shortages, reduced opportunities for progression, and young people left without clear paths to fulfilling careers. Labour’s commitment to championing post-16 education and the establishment of Skills England offers a much-needed solution to these systemic failures. We will train our young people up in the critical industries of the future, equipping them not only with technical expertise but also with the resilience, creativity, and adaptability they need to succeed in an ever-changing world, and supporting them to become future innovators who can drive forward Cornwall’s economy.

As we look to the future, we must also recognise the extraordinary opportunities Cornwall has to lead in green innovation and the creative industries. That’s why I have written to the Department for Education, urging that Skills England’s upcoming report reflects the scale of opportunity in clean energy supply chains and our growing creative sector. Investing in these industries is essential not only for our economy and energy security but for protecting Cornwall’s natural beauty and culture for generations to come.

I’ve also encouraged Education Ministers to ensure that we get parity of funding and esteem for further education. Achieving this is not just about fairness; it’s about recognising the indispensable role that vocational and technical training play in meeting the challenges of our modern economy.

Cornwall’s future lies in its people – in their skills, resilience, and ambition. As I told the graduates on Friday, the careers they are stepping into are vital to the fabric of our society. Theirs are the hands that will build Cornwall, the hands that will farm, nurture and care for Cornwall.

Noah Law

Labour MP for St Austell and Newquay