WELLINGTON MP Gideon Amos made a visit to Somerset Skills and Learning (SS&L) in Bridgwater to learn how the organisation offers skills for life, aimed at getting people back into employment.

Mr Amos, who became the Liberal Democrat MP for Wellington in July 2024, was greeted and shown around by CEO Kathryn Baker and director of curriculum and quality, Justin Speirs. 

During the visit, Mr Amos learned about SS&L’s role in education across Somerset, and how the organisation offers adult learning, pre-apprenticeships for 16-19-year-olds, and free courses to help adults find work, advance their careers, or continue their education.

Kathryn Baker, CEO of Somerset Skills and Learning, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Gideon Amos to our Bridgwater centre and speak with him about the importance of adult education

“With over 6,000 learners annually, SS&L is dedicated to empowering individuals at every level, from pre-entry to Level 5 qualifications.

“Our work includes helping adults to gain vital qualifications and life skills for employment, guiding young people into apprenticeships to kick-start their careers, and running free courses for people in Somerset who want to learn something new.

“Mr Amos was impressed by our success in providing opportunities not only for his constituents, but people across the entirety of the South West of England.”

MP, Gideon Amos, said: “I’m determined that young people in Taunton and Wellington get the best possible opportunities to develop their potential - we need inward investment to the area to provide those opportunities and key to achieving that is a trained and well-equipped workforce.

“I was therefore delighted to hear about some of the success stories from SS&L who work with some of those who have found education harder to access and take advantage of.”

“The education on offer also enriches the lives of many such children, but government needs to go further to ensure all children get the access to the type of education they need.”