WIRRAL Met College is looking for friends. Principal Jenny Shackleton hosted a breakfast meeting at the new IBMC in Birkenhead for would-be ambassadors.

She told the invited audience: "Wirral Met College this morning launches a campaign which aims to involve everyone, its students, staff, local firms and the wider community. With the strapline 'Unlocking Potential', Wirral Met plans to reach out to every home in Wirral, helping unlock the learning potential in every walk of life and generation."

Ms Shackleton outlined the changing role of the college and methods of learning, saying that Wirral Met could no longer depend on large buildings to educate a small proportion of the population. There is the need to go forward into the next century using latest technology, she explained. "The time is right now to make the mission live through individuals and organisations achieving their personal and collective potential. Obviously, this cannot happen overnight but we're getting things underway by identifying ambassadors for the college. Our ambassadors will be drawn from students, staff and business associates or supporters. Their role is simply to spread the word that the sky is the limit for learning on Wirral."

Ambassadors for the college will be kept informed on college activities and invited to take part in an annual meeting.

Student Azra Saric, a refugee from Bosnia, is already an ambassador for the college, now studying for a BA in business admin at Liverpool John Moore's University. She came to Birkenhead, separated from her family, to learn English and study at Wirral Met.

English teacher Harriet Parker said: "We are proud of Azra's achievements."

TV sports personality Ray Stubbs, from Wirral, is another ambassador to highlight the need for young people, especially youths, to continue their education. "I wish I had made the most of my time at college," he told the audience. Ms Shackleton told how employees at a Wirral biscuit factory got academic qualifications while still at work with the help of Wirral Met.

However, Wirral South MP Ben Chapman is concerned about college cuts and debts, particularly those involving Carlett Park at Eastham.

"What concerns me most is that that a college massively in debt should be using its resources to employ a public relations firm to put out its message and promote a 'strap line'. It would surely be better to use funds to reduce indebtedness rather than host a breakfast for what should be a normal part of college functions."

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