Plugging the skills gaps: East Riding College working with employers to develop fit-for-purpose curriculum
LOCAL SUPPORT: East Riding College Principal Danny Metters
By Rick Lyon
East Riding College is working closely with employers across the region to ensure its curriculum addresses local skills gaps – now, and in the future.
The college, which has campuses in Beverley, Bridlington and Hull, has introduced its East Riding College Ambassadors to provide a positive link with businesses.
The ambassadors, who all work across a range of sectors, will champion the college in its local communities, and provide feedback about the skills employers need. This, in turn, will help shape the college’s curriculum, ensuring students are fully equipped to launch successful careers at the end of their studies.
The seven ambassadors all have an affiliation with East Riding College – including some who were former members of the Board of Governors, before it merged with the TEC Partnership.
They are: Councillor Kerri Harold; Jim Harris; Paul Downey; Michael Glover; Karen Guest; Alex Denholm; and John Doris.
CHAMPIONS: Principal Danny Metters and Vice Principal Helen Wooldridge with the East Riding College Ambassadors
The ambassadors will also assist the college’s input into the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), which is being developed by the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce.
East Riding College Principal Danny Metters said: “We wanted to make sure we had local support through a network of ambassadors to champion the college and support our links to industry and employers.
“They all have a vested interest in the communities we serve.
“They will be important champions for the college, and the education system – whether that’s 16-18-year-olds, adults or apprentices.
“The ambassadors will also help support us to make sure we’re on the right path with the Local Skills Improvement Plan.
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“The work they’re doing will ultimately support the development of our curriculum offer, now and in the future, and we’re delighted to have them on board.”
The ambassadors will meet with the college three times a year to discuss the curriculum development and where the skills shortages are. They will then provide feedback to local employers.
East Riding College is also holding an event later this month to encourage businesses to have direct input into the development of its curriculum.
The Employer Engagement and Curriculum of the Now and the Future event will take place at the college’s Bridlington campus from 4pm-6pm on Wednesday, April 19.
It will focus on the key priorities and changes needed to ensure education and training is more closely aligned to employer needs.
WORKING WITH EMPLOYERS: East Riding College’s Beverley campus
Round table discussions will address the skills needs in sectors including: automotive; construction and engineering; service industries; hospitality and catering; health and social care and childcare; creative and digital industries; hair and beauty; and more.
Hannah Crookes, the Hull and East Yorkshire LSIP Manager at the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, will be one of the speakers at the event.
The LSIP is working closely with education providers, employers and key stakeholders in the region to identify the current and future skills gaps.
Hannah said: “The purpose is to put employers at the heart of the system. A lot of our work at the moment is around engaging with employers to understand what their skills needs are, for now and the future, and where there are any skills gaps.
“The LSIP is looking at the key sectors of engineering, manufacturing, construction, agri-tech and health and social care, as well as incorporating cross-cutting themes of digital, and working with new technologies, net zero and employability skills.
“I can’t fault East Riding College at all in the work they’re doing to support this. They understand how important it is, and they have a key role to play, along with the other local providers.”
Any business interested in attending the Employer Engagement and Curriculum of the Now and the Future event, or anyone who would like to become an East Riding College Ambassador, should email Johnsonlis@eastridingcollege.ac.uk.