College helps strengthen economic recovery
Stanmore College helps strengthen economic recovery from Covid-19
Stanmore College is proud to be one of many colleges nationwide. Colleges are shaping communities and at the centre of the economic rebuild. 2.2 million people are educated and trained at colleges and they will play an instrumental part in the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and dealing with post-Brexit Britain as colleges not only deliver an education to 16 to 18 year olds enabling them to progress to university, apprenticeships or jobs, they are also involved in upskilling, reskilling, training and retraining people of all ages. This is more important than ever as large numbers of adults require training to help them move from the sectors in most difficulties to those which might expand or recover more quickly. This may reach even greater numbers if furloughed workers then face redundancy. Unemployment is expected to be the highest since the Great Depression in the 1930s. Embedding digital skills is vital to recovery and helps lead to jobs needed in today’s society. Stanmore College is highly responsive to these national issues.
In addition to a wide range of courses for 16 to 18 year-olds which are based on market intelligence and jobs of the future, Stanmore College offers a range of provision for adults. This includes provision on improving digital skills, Access to Higher Education courses; Access to Nursing, Health and Social Care, Radiography, Computing, Pharmacy, Engineering for example, are of great demand as the country suffers shortages of key workers in these areas.
Short courses such as mindfulness, e-safety, safeguarding, employability skills, among others are stepping stones towards good mental health in difficult times and getting back onto the job ladder. Obtaining qualifications to facilitate careers in accountancy, management, childcare, mental health, supporting individuals with learning disabilities, supporting teaching and learning and improving and obtaining qualifications in English and/or maths are paramount to helping reduce unemployment and strengthening the UK’s economic recovery from Covid-19 by prioritising jobs and skills.
Local colleges are the beating hearts of many communities that unlock this country’s potential and will help post-Brexit Britain. Recent times have provided many challenges and Stanmore College has moved swiftly to change and innovate to support staff and students. This has included shifting to remote working as necessary using the ever-emerging digital world, communication through MS Teams, online classes and submission of work online, providing additional online support and sessions with tutors, videoconferencing, webinars, provision for online enrolment and induction and ensuring that students have access to the technology required. Those who wished to sit English and maths GCSEs, having not had the opportunity to in the Summer have already had intensive teaching which included catching up on missed learning and sat those examinations this month; a feat which not all educational establishments managed to deliver in a short period of time.
Despite all the external turbulences with Covid-19, politics, Brexit, exams and awarding organisations, Stanmore College’s overall achievement rate for the last year was 90% which is excellent. The College saw an increase in applicants and enrolments and has found ways to deliver high quality teaching and learning, which is rigorously monitored, whilst reducing numbers on site for the safety of all concerned. However, the College does not intend to rest on its laurels as it realises its potential to help strengthen economic recovery from Covid-19 and prepare for post-Brexit Britain.