Harrison Centre for Social Mobility founder David Harrison joined Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne this week on a site visit at the soon-to-be redeveloped Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Education (ABICE).
Based in Antigua, the current ABICE site will become the first overseas Harrison Centre for Social Mobility following a memorandum of understanding signed by David Harrison and Prime Minister Browne in London in May.
The investment from the Harrison Foundation will see the complete rebuild of the current facility, creating a new, modern and state of the art learning facility, called the Harrison Centre Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Education.
David Harrison is a frequent visitor to Antigua and Barbuda and is recognised as one of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs. He is also Chairman of the UK financial technology firm, True Potential.
During the site visit, Prime Minister Browne expressed appreciation to David Harrison for his significant and timely support of the educational development of Antigua and Barbuda. PM Browne reiterated that the education landscape in Antigua and Barbuda is experiencing a period of significant and strategic growth. The expansion and redevelopment of ABICE will take technical and vocational learning to the next level.
David Harrison added that he is delighted to see the expansion of the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility project into Antigua and Barbuda, a country he regards as his second home. He said: “I am delighted with this partnership between my foundation and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda that will lead to the first overseas Harrison Centre for Social Mobility.”
Joining Prime Minister Browne, Minister Mathew, and Mr. Harrison on the site visit were, Ms. Arlene West, Director of ABICE, Mr. Clare Browne, Director of Education, and technicians from the Board of Education.
The first Harrison Centre for Social Mobility was opened in 2018 in north east England in partnership with Sunderland Football Club. This has been followed in 2022 by new Harrison Centres in partnership with Newcastle United Football Club as well as a UK-wide online partnership with the Open University.
To date, over 1,000 young people aged 13-19 who had fallen out of mainstream education have secured qualifications, employment and gained confidence through the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility.