Builders Demand Decision On Education

The Guernsey Building Trades Employers Association is appealing to deputies to make a definite decision on the Les Ozouets campus this week.

The GBTEA has written an open letter appealing for a definite decision to be made.

Association President Steve Roussel says the repeated political delay, and what he describes as 'diabolical facilities' at the College of FE, may deter Guernsey students from choosing vocational courses, and lower the island's future construction capability:

"There is an understanding that the island needs new housing and new infrastructure, and it is the building industry that provides that.

What we don't want to see is that expertise coming from off-island, we want it to be locals that are actually doing that building work.

But the facilities at the moment are in a diabolical state and that certainly doesn't help with recruiting apprentices or attracting good quality teaching staff either."

Guernsey's second GST debate in October this year saw the transformation of secondary education defunded.

Deputies are meeting this week to conclude debate on the 2024 Budget. This includes two amendments that could see the Les Ozouets campus given the go-ahead with around £100M of borrowing. Subsequent amendments want a full financial picture of the options available before a decision on education is made.

Deputy Mark Leadbeater wondered why the States had let some of its school buildings fall into disrepair:

"Our school shouldn't have stopped being maintained, this is the issue.

There was a decision taken to not continue maintaining the Coutanchez campus because of the policy decisions that have been made by this assembly, and that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

You do not stop maintaining a building while it is in use - certainly not a school."

Following the budget debate, a motion of no confidence in the senior committee, P&R will be tabled and voted on.