16 minute read
Colleges Supporting Business
COLLEGES SUPPORTING BUSINESS BELFAST MET
Staff from Belfast Met’s Centre for Skills and Apprenticeships: LR: back row – Lee Breen, Mark Dorman, Ryan Manning and Neil Whiteside. Left – Right Front – Emma Morrison, Andrea Kearney, Tracey Patterson.
What are the college’s specialisms - what sectors does it focus on?
Belfast Metropolitan College is the largest FE College in Northern Ireland and one of the leading providers of training and education throughout Northern Ireland. As a key deliverer of the skills and knowledge our economy requires, our work with industry, business, and local communities is fundamental to our purpose.
The College has a wide range of courses, apprenticeships and business support programmes. At Belfast Met’s Centre for Skills & Apprenticeships we are fully committed to supporting employers to provide training and apprenticeship opportunities. We work collaboratively with employers at a national and regional level to co-design and deliver a wide range of skills, apprenticeships and workforce development programmes that help people develop the skills and attributes they need to be successful in the world of work.
We provide a tailored responsive approach for employers working with employer partners across a range of industries to support economic recovery and workforce development, and grow the supply of apprenticeship opportunities in Northern Ireland across diverse industries including Professional & Business Services, Banking & Financial Services, Retail & Hospitality, Creative, Digital Industries, Health and Social Care, Leadership & Management and Engineering and Construction.
The College’s Centre for Economic Development and Social Inclusion (CEDSI) provides training, knowledge and support to develop innovative product ideas, improve competitiveness and help to grow individual businesses. With extensive experience of working with businesses of any size, we review training needs and develop a tailored and flexible delivery plan that increases growth and innovation and a more productive and skilled workforce.
CEDSI works across multiple industries delivering training and increasing innovation and growth within businesses in the Creative, Digital Industries, Health and Social Care, Food & Hospitality, Professional and Business Services including Leadership & Management and Engineering and Construction.
How and what kind of links with the local business community support your learning programmes?
CEDSI works directly with approximately 1500 businesses per year ranging from start-ups, SME’s to multi-nationals across our programmes and intervention, providing tailored training and support. The feedback from the businesses we engage with helps to shape our future support and ensures that we are providing the most relevant training.
We value our memberships with key business networks and have worked collaboratively on programmes based on feedback, such as the Belfast Chamber webinar series, a Women Returners Programme with Women in Business, and developed a Customs Training programme with Northern Ireland Chamber.
Have there been any new support initiatives with the NI Executive to further support learning opportunities at the college?
We have been fortunate to be able to deliver a wide range of initiatives to support businesses, funded through the Department for the Economy such as:
Skills Focus for businesses with less than 250 employees; InnovateUs providing support to businesses with less than 50 employees; and Skills Intervention Fund developed to support those impacted by the pandemic.
The Department for the Economy is also providing financial support to employers through its Apprenticeship Recovery Package for Northern Ireland which channels investment into local businesses to help the apprenticeship system respond to the impact of the pandemic. Employers are offered £3,700 for every apprentice they bring back from furlough and retain until they have completed their apprenticeship, and £3,000 per apprentice is available to employers for each new apprenticeship opportunity created between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2022.
How has the pandemic shaped your course programme?
Amidst the crisis caused by the Covid-19, we have developed our digital learning solutions to ensure the continuity of our traineeship and apprenticeship provision, and continue to work collaboratively with employers to create new apprenticeship programmes.
We have had to adapt our delivery model in order to provide our range of programmes and support throughout the course of the pandemic. Our staff have a wealth of experience in their vocational areas of upskilling, reskilling and mentoring and we were able to adapt this to go online using a range of methods such as video conferencing, virtual classroom delivery and virtual interaction tools.
How do you expect it to impact your intake? Could we see more mature students seeking to learn new skills? More demand in specific areas?
Over the past year we have seen increased engagement from businesses, employees and individuals who have been investing in their skills development. Our ability to be agile and responsive to their learning needs has supported that continued engagement. Many learners have upskilled whilst furloughed or reskilled in new areas when made redundant. We have seen a huge demand for training in a range of IT qualifications, in Digital Skills, Leadership and Management and professional business services, as well as in Health and Social Care. We hope that this interest in Lifelong Learning will continue as we emerge from the pandemic.
What kind of activity has been ongoing at the college? What kind of setups are in place for remote learning?
Over the past year we have continued to deliver the majority of our business support provision online, enabling us to ensure continuity of provision at a time of uncertainty. We are very well placed to support remote learning and were able to adapt this provision to move online, using a range of methods such as video conferencing, virtual classroom delivery and virtual interaction tools to ensure that service continued as normal.
Are there future developments in the pipeline?
We will continue to innovate and deliver a range of programmes and interventions to support businesses, employees and individuals to re-skill and up-skill in the year ahead, firmly embedding our offer in the context of the new DfE strategy ‘A 10X Economy: Northern Ireland’s Decade of Innovation’. These initiatives, which are delivered by all Colleges across the region, are fully funded by the DfE.
To find out how Belfast Met can support your business please contact cedsi@belfastmet.ac.uk or for further information on apprenticeships contact apprenticeships@ belfastmet.ac.uk
Louise Warde Hunter, Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Met.
Outside TQ campus.
A SOUTH-EASTERN REGIONAL COLLEGE (SERC)
ERC Hospitality & Catering Lecturer Ruth Doherty hosted a Chocolatier Workshop, part of a series of free Management webinars and Technical masterclasses being delivered across all six FE Colleges, funded by the Department for Economy, to support the tourism and hospitality sector.
What are the college’s specialisms? What sectors does it focus on?
Our work covers many sectors including health and care, hospitality, construction, plumbing, engineering, IT, business and management, science, digital skills, property, manufacturing, refrigeration and air conditioning – to name a few. Our courses are structured to prepare people for work and contribute to the economic growth and development of Northern Ireland.
This includes introducing specialist programmes to meet the needs of dynamic industries from diagnosis, testing and repair of electric and hybrid vehicles to fenestration installation, to the development of new apprenticeships which will support the polymer processing and automatic door industries, to cybersecurity and ethical hacking.
What kind of links with the local business community support your learning programmes?
We work directly with around 3000 businesses. Our dedicated Business Services team provides support, innovation and growth for businesses, helping them to develop technological innovation, upskill employees and develop new products, markets, services or processes. We provide access to funding which can make the cost of training more affordable and, as well as advertised courses, we can offer bespoke courses delivered in college or at the workplace that are tailored to specific needs of the local business community.
Strategic partnerships with industry-led groups such as RETAIL NI, Manufacturing NI, Tourism NI, Social Enterprise NI, Institute of Export, CITB and local council economic development teams, have helped shape and inform provision.
In addition, our lecturers bring a wealth of industry knowledge and experience to the college and maintain links with their specialist areas, which support teaching, enhance student placements and enable real, work-related, projectbased learning to be incorporated to courses.
Have there been any new support initiatives with the NI Executive to further support learning opportunities at the college?
Supported by the Department for the Economy (DfE), our Business Services team has worked collaboratively with the other FE Colleges to develop a suite of short-term, intensive courses to elevate and increase professional qualifications in different sectors, targeting identified skills gaps and encouraging confidence and knowledge in learners. Training opportunities have been developed in areas of leadership and management, digital skills (analytics, cyber, cloud), green technology, advanced manufacturing, health and care and graduate interventions. Alongside this, our innovation and mentoring support for SMEs continued, helping many to diversify, introduce new digital systems and adapt to the challenges of lockdown. The move to online support for SMEs enabled more flexible engagement for businesses and their employees and we intend to continue to offer this option as COVID restrictions ease.
Funding allowed SERC to introduce new provisions such as the Institute of Export Level 3 Award in International Trade Documentation. We are also the first NI FE college to become an academic partner and accredited training centre with E-Council, the world’s leading provider of technical cybersecurity certifications. And the coveted Certified Ethical Hacker v11 training will be delivered online by the college.
How has the pandemic shaped your course programme?
We have been dynamic in our response, particularly to those most affected by the pandemic, providing upskilling and retraining opportunities. Bespoke courses, delivered to suit
Heather McKee Director of Strategic Planning, Quality and Support
the needs of businesses and their employees, have been part and parcel of our offer here at SERC. We have ensured student achievement has been kept on track and learners have been prepared for their next steps in education or employment.
Short, intensive courses that give people the opportunity to reskill or retrain in a matter of weeks or months are proving popular. Over the past year, SERC has been proactive in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering training and support to businesses and students, demonstrating the resilience and creativity needed to safeguard the future of our economy.
How do you expect it to impact your intake? Could we see more mature students seeking to learn new skills? More demand in specific areas?
We have noted that people across a range of ages, not just the more mature, are seeking to future-proof themselves for work by upskilling or reskilling. Our short intensive courses have proved popular this year and applications from adults are high for the next academic year.
This past year has given many people the opportunity to take stock and rethink what they are doing in terms of work. People who have felt vulnerable in their current jobs are exploring training opportunities which provide them with a more stable career. Multiple pathways are available for those who want to change direction, or study at a higher level. Those with limited qualifications can enrol on our Restart or Access to University programmes. Advice is available from our careers team for anyone who wants to get in touch.
What kind of activity has been ongoing at the college? What kind of setups are in place for remote learning?
SERC staff use a variety of electronic tools to facilitate online learning. The main platform is MS Teams, which incorporates MS Class Notebook, used by many courses as an electronic portfolio. This enables students and tutors to submit and review evidence of their learning and skills and, more importantly, is available to students and staff anywhere and on any device. This has enabled us to successfully deliver training online throughout the past year of sporadic lockdown and these tools will continue to be used. We also have the in-house capability to produce broadcast quality webinars which can be viewed at a time convenient to our business clients, such as our Technical Skills Masterclasses for the Let’s Do Hospitality and Tourism Recovery programmes.
Are there future developments in the pipeline?
SERC continues to work directly with industry-led groups to develop tailored support. Our Business Engagement teams are currently working on future provision based on the recent NI strategic requirements outlined in the Skills for a 10X Economy and Economic Recovery Roadmap. We will continue to develop skills and innovations with a particular focus on manufacturing, green technologies, digital transformation, trade and export, health, wellbeing and care and any emerging skills gaps. This responsiveness is key to our curriculum development.
Heather McKee Director of Strategic Planning, Quality and Support
SERC are working in partnership with H & J Martin and the Automatic Door Suppliers Association to develop new apprenticeships for the Automated Entrances Industry supported through the Department for the Economy’s Apprenticeship Challenge Fund. (L - R) William Greer, Chief Training & Contacts Officer and Tony Watson, Operations Manager, H & J Martin Asset Management Services.
A SOUTHERN REGIONAL COLLEGE
Diane Dodds MLA (centre) with from left, student Christian Megaw, Vice Chair of SRC Governing Body John Nugent, SRC Chief Executive Brian Doran and student Caitlin O’Hara at the official opening of the college’s new campus in Armagh.
What are the college’s specialisms? What sectors does it focus on?
Southern Regional College (SRC) has campuses in Armagh, Banbridge, Kilkeel, Lurgan, Newry and Portadown. The college offers first class education and an exciting learning environment for further and higher education.
SRC, supported by the Department for the Economy, invested over £100m in two new landmark campuses in Banbridge and Armagh. These developments coupled with a future £45m Craigavon campus will help transform vocational education and training across the region.
The new Armagh Campus will offer a wide range of vocational education opportunities through to degree level as well as offering a comprehensive A level portfolio. Our new £15m Banbridge campus is an industry-leading centre for multimedia and digital design which includes teaching and learning facilities such as an animation studio, dark room and photographic studio.
Plans are also well underway on the development of a Higher Education and Innovation Centre in Newry. Focusing on the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum, our STEM Assured Status validates our expertise in this area ensuring that our courses keep pace with emerging technology and the evolving needs of employers.
What kind of links with the local business community support your learning programmes?
SRC is recognised as the life and health sciences hub for the NI FE sector. The curriculum hub plays a lead role with other regional colleges in the development of new science curriculum from traineeships to higher level apprenticeships. The hub worked with a range of leading pharmaceutical companies including Norbrook Laboratories, Almac and Randox to develop the first higher level apprenticeship in life science to provide a pipeline of skilled and qualified staff.
Have there been any new support initiatives with the NI Executive to further support learning opportunities at the college?
The college houses a dedicated Business Support & Innovation Centre which identifies and responds to the needs of local businesses helping them to innovate, compete and grow through the provision of a unique mix of technical and business know-how, research and development services, skills development and talent acquisition. Our specialist staff work exclusively with businesses to design and deliver bespoke training solutions to many industry sectors. Delivering the DfE funded InnovateUs programme enables SRC to provide support to SMEs to upskill in areas of innovation within their business, thus embedding an innovation culture within the business for future growth. Some of our specialist areas include design engineering, new product development, food innovation and creative and digital technologies.
We also deliver a range of fully funded accredited training programmes to SMEs from Level 2 upwards, through the DfE funded Skills Focus programme. A new flexible skills fund will also be launched soon to improve the skills level of the NI workforce and we are looking forward to playing a key role in its delivery. This new programme will enable us to launch a range of programmes in September 2021 from Level 2 to Level 5, including those aligned to key priority areas such as life and health sciences, advanced manufacturing and engineering, digital skills, health and social care, green technologies and leadership and management.
SRC is committed to working in partnership with economic development stakeholders to match skills programmes with local business need and is an active member of the employability and skills steering groups in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon and Newry Mourne and Down district council areas and is a partner in the employability and skills strands of the Belfast Region City Deal and the Mid South West Growth Deal.
The college offers a range of apprenticeship, higher level apprenticeship and traineeship courses which provide the opportunity for learners to gain quality training and a recognised qualification while in paid employment. Our curriculum design is closely aligned to the skills demands from employers, including the integration of transferrable skills and industry-based, project-based learning.
How has the pandemic shaped your course programme?
Pre-pandemic, we had already embraced digital technology in the delivery of our teaching and training, resulting in the smooth transition to remote learning for staff and students. The sudden shift away from face-to-face delivery has enabled us to design a curriculum portfolio which follows a hybrid learning approach, with both remote and face-to-face delivery.
During lockdown our teaching and training never stopped! We had to remodel our delivery approaches but this transition was a relatively smooth process as we had already made significant investments in our infrastructure which included the procurement of laptop devices for staff and students and the provision of Wi-Fi SIM cards and dongles to students. This was supported by lecture delivery via MS Teams and the college’s virtual learning environment, Moodle.
How do you expect it to impact your intake? Could we see more mature students seeking to learn new skills? More demand in specific areas?
This hybrid approach has been received very positively by many of our current students and it will suit many new learners who are balancing work and family commitments, as well as those who wish to have the blend of both face-to-face and remote learning. This new flexible approach will ensure we meet the needs of all our learners, particularly our business clients. The current pandemic has led to the development of our Oirtual Campus, which aims to provide an increased range of online courses from September 2021.
Are there future developments in the pipeline?
We are launching new higher education and higher level apprenticeship courses this year. SRC is the first NI FE college to introduce a new Certificate of HE in Healthcare Practice enabling students to progress to the 2nd year of the Open University Adult Nursing degree. We are also excited to launch the Open University foundation degree and degree level programmes in biological and pharmaceutical science in September.
The value placed on skills has never been greater and with our recent investments in new campus developments, resources, the recruitment of experienced and qualified staff, SRC is perfectly placed to deliver on the skills agenda for the southern region.
Thomas Hamill, Glen Dimplex Production Engineer & Bobby McBurney, Glen Dimplex Maintenance Department. Pictured: Shera McAloran, Karri Kitchen, Managing Director, & Brenda Kelleghan, SRC Food Innovation Technology Specialist.
