NEW ways to improve the curriculum and prepare students for entry to the workforce are being explored by a college in Swindon.

Future Talent Forums is being launched by New College in October to enable employers to work more closely with school staff.

Local and national firms will be invited to join the college as partners in all sectors. It offers them the chance to enhance their workforce, while giving feedback on ways the curriculum can be improved to prepare learners better for the world of work.

Vice principal Chris Baish said: “Employers often say that young people are not work ready. We already work closely with many local employers to ensure that they are, but we’re seeking to develop and formalise these activities into Future Talent Forums.

“This is a new initiative to offer employers the opportunity to join us at key points throughout the year as part of sector-specific panels of employer stakeholders, so that they can have a direct input into shaping the education and training that young people are involved in at College.”

Emily Dennis,17, is studying a level three extended diploma in health and social care. She undertook an industry placement as a healthcare assistant at Lloyds Pharmacy, which led to her gaining a part-time job there.

“She said: “My course and the placement worked side by side – I completed units in medication and communication in my course and this helped at the pharmacy.

“Lloyds are now seeking to put me on a dispensing qualification which means I can get an NVQ in dispensing and be a dispenser at the end.

“I want to eventually go to University to do a pharmaceuticals course as this is the industry that I’d like to work in.

“I would definitely recommend doing an industrial placement as it gave me opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

The college has also been selected as the first education provider in Swindon and Wiltshire to offer the new technical levels, designed in conjunction with industry sectors. T-levels will be offered from September 2021.The Future Talent Forums launch is on October 18 from 7.45am at New College.

Register for the Future Talent Forums launch event: http://www.newcollege.ac.uk/whats-on/future-talent-forums-launch-event