3 minute read
Skills
COLLEGE GROUP SEEKS INDUSTRY LEADERS TO INFLUENCE SKILLS DELIVERY
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Schools and colleges may be closed, but the careers helpline set up to support young people during the pandemic remains open to young people in Worcestershire. Run by Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire LEP, the joint careers helpline is continuing to offer advice, information and guidance to young people across the county despite the latest lockdown measures. First launched in March 2020 during the first lockdown, this service has been developed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic amid closures of education settings to support the young people of Worcestershire. Careers services are still available via email and phone for all Worcestershire students, schools, parents, carers, job centres and those interested in finding out more about apprenticeships. The Careers Worcestershire Helpline offers support to 16 – 24-year olds looking for information about education or training choices, including guidance on university choices, as well as the next steps and apprenticeship options available. Councillor Marcus Hart, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education and Skills, said: “During this time, we must continue to support Worcestershire’s young people who may be confused about the different options available to them. “The Careers Worcestershire Helpline is run by our qualified advisors and has been set up to offer clarity, advice and support to local students and parents during this challenging time.” Worcestershire County Council is currently offering apprenticeships at intermediary, advanced and higher levels across a variety of different sectors including customer service business administration, finance and accounting, social care and civil engineering. Anybody in England over the age of 16 can apply for an apprenticeship. They are nationally recognised and can help young people to gain qualifications and employability skills. Please call 0300 666 3666 or email
careersworcs@worcestershire.gov.uk
to find out more. For more information about careers, please visit
www.skills4worcestershire.co.uk
Industry leaders are being given the chance to influence a leading college group to ensure it is delivering the skills required to support the present and future economy. WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group) has seven colleges across Warwickshire and Worcestershire and is calling for more individuals from the regional business community to join its advisory boards. Its colleges include Royal Leamington Spa College, Rugby College, Moreton Morrell College, Warwick Trident College, Pershore College, Malvern Hills College and Evesham College. The group, which specialises in technical and vocational education, is aiming to strengthen its link with business, ensuring it is prepared to play a key role in post-Brexit and post-pandemic economic recovery. It is hoped that 10 new board members can be recruited across the group, including additional board members to advise on operations at Malvern Science Park. The key responsibilities of advisory board members include advising on the educational character of the colleges and the needs of local stakeholders, while counselling on whether their curriculum matches the areas economic needs. They are also asked to guide strategies to improve performance and invited to help develop new links and strengthen existing links with communities. Other roles include helping WCG to further understand the local labour market and support building more opportunities for student work experience, internship and post-college employment. Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, said: “It is essential that we use all of our resources in the right places to support the economic recovery in the regions our colleges are based. “In order to do this we are inviting more people from the business community to join our advisory boards. “They will help us to make certain that our colleges are delivering the skills required for businesses and supporting the workforce of the future. “By strengthening ties with WCG, it will also give advisory board members access to new contact networks and a direct link to the brightest young talent to support the future of their businesses.”
www.wcg.ac.uk
