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Virtual Work Experience Conference inspires positive thinking
WORLD OF WORK
College Wins Funding for
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Croydon College – based in the heart of one of the top 10 tech destinations in the UK – will be working with 17 of the borough’s employers to ensure residents can obtain the digital skills needed to excel in their careers.
The Greater London Authority (GLA) has granted funding to Croydon College to lead the Croydon Digital Skills Hub with John Ruskin College, which will support learners to gain access to tech training, apprenticeships, work placements, job opportunities and increase digital inclusion, while also supporting employers in the digital sector to understand how to break down barriers and increase inclusivity. At the College we are covering four subject areas, all of which are free for learners who currently don’t hold a Level 3 or higher qualification: • BCS Level 3 Certificate in IT User
Skills (ECDL Advanced) (ITQ) • NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Cyber
Security Practices • NCFE Level 3 Certificate in
Coding Practices • Gateway Level 3 Certificate in
Systems Infrastructure Croydon College will also provide access to its careers coach service, while John Ruskin College has received funding to deliver two Digital Skills Hub courses – Nonregulated Level 2 ICT and a Certificate in IT User skills ECDL (ITQ). For employers referring an existing member of staff, an obligation to co-fund the training with a 30% contribution is required. Fadia Clarke, our Vice Principal Training Skills & Higher Education: “We are delighted to have been successful in receiving GLA funding to deliver the Croydon Digital Skills Hub, which will make local residents’ gain much-needed skills to improve their employability and confidence. “As Croydon continues to excel as a tech destination, the Digital Skills Hub will play a key role in ensuring the borough remains there, boosting outcomes for learners and employers. “The Digital Skills Hub will also empower employers to upskill their employees, enabling businesses to diversify their offerings and bring in new revenue streams. “We can’t wait to get started in playing an even greater role in supporting our borough’s residents and employers.” Kam Dehal, Executive Director, Commercial & Partnerships, Orbital South College Group, said: “John Ruskin College is proud to be part of this really important collaboration in delivering the digital skills that are needed to serve our businesses and communities. The world of tech is fast paced, vibrant and broad in its offer, and impacts every aspect of our lives. The Digital Skills Hub will allow us to help deliver the skills that are needed today and into the future, impacting Croydon and its surrounding areas.”
FIND OUT MORE
To find out more information on the Croydon Digital Skills Hub at Croydon College, and to apply, scan the QR code.
Cloudreason hosted a Virtual Work Experience Conference for Business, IT and Travel alongside the College, putting the spotlight on career pathways and how the smallest positive actions can make the biggest impact.
Namuli Katumba, Strategic Account Director at Cloudreason, spoke candidly about her career journey and gave students plenty to think about. Namuli said: “I’ve always set out with the attendees that I’d be as honest as possible during my sessions about my career challenges, the work it’s taken me to get here, my own mental health journey, and what it means to work in the world today. “I’m so glad to have helped the students understand more about the world of work and navigating their futures. I hope they realise how much they also help me to have hope for the future.” Cloudreason are independent advisors, supporting managed service businesses and cloud infrastructure providers for more than 20 years.
CONSTRUCTING AND ENGINEERING THE FUTURE
Eight local employers joined us, students and local residents for a Construction and Engineering Jobs Fair.
Employers including Mullaley, Lendlease, Axis Europe, IRS, Michael J Lonsdale and L&Q attended the Fair, which took place on 7 June. L&Q reported they had an excellent response from attendees who they hoped would be able to start roles in bricklaying and as painter decorators, while IRS praised the well-organised and attended event, offering interviews for their Summer Internship position and a permanent role in the office. Michael J Lonsdale were impressed by all students but singled out one attendee who they said was one of the best management candidates they had seen in a long time. Attendees were equally positive in their feedback, highlighting the wide range of employers on hand, the excellent advice they were given to further their careers, and the friendly and open welcome they received from college staff.
APPRENTICESHIP ASSESSOR – JUBIN MOTAMED
Our Apprenticeship Assessors support and ensure our Apprentices are meeting the standards required to succeed. We caught up with Assessor Jubin Motamed to find out more about the role. For more information on
Apprenticeships, scan the QR code.
Tell me a bit about you? I am a Chartered Construction Manager (MCIOB), Corporate Member of Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) since 2011. I was awarded a PhD in Structural Engineering from University of Westminster in May 2010.
Please provide an overview of your industry
experience so far? I have 40 years of experience in construction and worked my way up from Labourer (Chainman) to Project Manager, Company Director, Senior Resident Engineer, Site Manager, Setting Out Engineer and Construction Management Consultant.
Why did you become an assessor for apprenticeships?
After gaining my PhD I was offered a job as Senior Research Fellow at the University of Greenwich. During my employment, I taught Construction Management to university students. I enjoyed teaching and assessing students. In the past 12 years I have been mainly employed to teach Construction Management at Higher and Further Education levels.
What do you want to achieve or implement within
your role? In the past two years of my employment at Croydon College we have developed the HNC Construction and Built Environment course. We now have 26 Apprentices, the majority of whom are employed in successful organisations.
What are the highlights you think employers seek from students you provide through your
apprenticeship training? Employers would like to see their Apprentice employees learn about improved quality of construction work, better technical understanding and improved awareness of money and time.
What is your day to day like as an assessor for
apprenticeships? I enjoy it very much because my students are aged between 20 and 50 with responsible roles in industry. They challenge my teaching and it is satisfying for me to meet their challenges.
What is the best piece of advice you have been
given so far? Never accept a student may be incapable of achieving their academic goal.
