Japanese delegates welcomed to Crawley

13/10/2009

Japanese delegates take part in lessons at Central Sussex College

Crawley Borough Council hosted a delegation of Civil Servants and Council Officials from the Osaka District of Japan on 6th October.

Crawley has developed strong links with Japan and is seen as a best practice centre for town centre management and regeneration projects.

The visitors were given a tour of the town centre and looked at the new projects aimed at re-using and rejuvenating empty retail units.

They were then shown around Central Sussex College, which has a reputation for excellence in vocational training. Students studying to become Electricians and Plumbers demonstrated their skills and the visitors even had the chance to have a go themselves! College Principal Dr Russell Strutt said "The delegation seemed to get a great deal out of their visit. It was the first time they'd seen vocational training in action and they were extremely impressed by the facilities and training approach at the College."

Lunch at the Arora Hotel was hosted by the Major of Crawley where economic problems and regeneration issues common to both countries and towns were discussed.

The Group then went on to see K2 and Langley Green shopping parade to see the regeneration schemes in action.

Feedback from the group stated that their day in Crawley was the best of the five towns and cities they visited in the UK.