West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has encouraged South Worcestershire College to broaden its ambitions as it considers merger proposals. The college already offers a wide range of courses for people of all ages, but Harriett urged the leadership team to aim to offer more as part of the tie up with the Warwickshire College group. The group already runs Pershore Horticultural College and the combined colleges will aim to offer a wider range of courses including more apprenticeship opportunities. Harriett also urged the college to make more use of the Link Nurseries resource where Pershore staff already deliver courses. Harriett said: “It was useful to meet with the management team from both colleges to discuss opportunities to expand the offering and I welcomed the aim to change its name to Malvern Hills College. “We discussed the wider need to offer apprenticeships at all levels. Vacancies are at record levels in Worcestershire and employers are crying out for well trained staff. “I also took the opportunity to brief them on the latest at Link Nurseries where Pershore College already offers a course and have asked them to look at expanding its courses there. “Plans to develop a full offering at the nursery are progressing well and I have offered my support as the college explores this fully. “Lifelong learning is critical to improving our nation’s productivity and further education can really help local people to earn more money and develop more skills. “I hope that the merger will lead to a platform to allow people of all ages to enhance their skills and capabilities across West Worcestershire.”