RNN Group Works With Local Employers to Bridge Skills Gap

Local employers working in the digital and public sectors were invited to University Centre Rotherham (UCR) for an employer briefing event  to learn more about how they can become involved in the Teach Too project; an RNN Group pilot project aiming to develop a new approach to collaborative curriculum planning with local employers, awarding bodies and other stakeholders.

Employers attending included Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO), Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC), digital marketing agency Grow Traffic Ltd and cloud based telephony platform, DiSC Systems; Higher Education members of staff and awarding body partners were also in attendance.

Julia Arechiga, Director of Student Experience, led the event along with Curriculum Manager of Catering and Hospitality Will Sibley, and Curriculum Manager of Computing and Digital, Leanne Brunt, who delivered presentations.

Presentations for each curriculum area focused on course aims and delivery, key skills developed during study and how local employers and partners can help bridge skills gaps and deepen learner and staff experience, through industry placements, workshops and shadowing opportunities.

Leanne Brunt said, “Through the project we want to redesign the curriculum in a way that addresses the issues that employers we work closely with are experiencing when recruiting staff.

“To be able to do this, we want to work with employers from a breadth of industries to not only prepare our students for the world of work, but to also keep our own teaching staff knowledgeable of the latest industry trends.”

Will Sibley said, “Catering students at Rotherham College have the opportunity to develop a traditional skillset as well as more niche expertise, but we want to deliver a course that is more than just a qualification – which is where employer engagement comes in.

“Some culinary and hospitality skills may not be fully covered by the course and through the project we hope that employers and partners will add value to our curriculum through providing opportunities to share knowledge and experience with our staff and learners.”

The event also went into discussion of how students should be encouraged to develop employability skills and soft skills such as preparing for interviews, through careers advice support and employability classes already available at Rotherham College, North Notts College and Dearne Valley College.

We are always looking for local employer input to ensure our curriculum and placement opportunities are of the highest standards, so if you would like to get involved in the Teach Too project or feel that you can contribute, please call Rebecca Blackburn, Head of Quality* on 01709 722874.

 

*Correct at time of publication.