Working in Further Education (FE) can have a direct positive impact on the local community. The sector helps tackle skill shortages such as digital, health, education, engineering and science, and it improves the future of young people. In the following article, we shall explore how FE makes a positive difference in the lives of local communities.
Tackle skill shortage
FE focuses on helping people step into fulfilling careers. Colleges across the country provide courses to equip students with skills for the workplace. The courses may range from GCSE, A-levels, T-levels, and vocational courses just to mention a few. Learners can choose from a range of relevant pathways covering Business, Construction, Art, Engineering, Health and Social Care, IT and Computing etc. For more information on FE courses, please see the gov.uk’s website.
When skills gaps are increasing, local employers struggle to recruit across industries. FE Colleges provide relevant and industry-specific training for young people to help and meet the needs of local businesses. Learners can learn new practical skills, extend their industry-specific knowledge and be able to align with the needs of local recruiters.
Further Education providers are uniquely placed to train the next generation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) professionals. STEM disciplines affect virtually every part of our lives. As an example, our economy revolves around mathematics and our efforts in renewable energy comes from the sciences. STEM skills play an increasingly important role in today’s society. Vacancies in STEM fields are generally hard to fill due to an ongoing shortage of applicants.
The IET’s report states that there is an estimated shortfall of over 173,000 workers in the STEM sector, with an average of 10 unfilled roles per business in the UK. The IET’s Skills Survey highlights that nearly half of engineering businesses are experiencing recruitment challenges. Over 150 world-leading engineers, scientists and technology experts, have called on the UK government to tackle the STEM skills gap which is costing the economy £1.5bn per year. Building a solid STEM foundation through the education of students is of utmost importance both at local and national levels.
Volunteering
Close links with employers are a key feature of educational courses. FE Colleges may provide volunteering opportunities for learners in order to help them develop transferrable skills and prepare them for employment. Volunteering can be beneficial both for local businesses and young people. Local businesses may significantly benefit from the work of volunteers, and this could contribute to cost savings. FE Colleges may also provide industry placements and visits to local hi-tech industries.
Learners’ skills development and wellbeing:
Many people would agree that learning reduces social isolation, strengthens self-efficacy and improves wellbeing. The more FE is able to provide young people with employment skills, the more the local economy will benefit. Education helps to give young people a sense of purpose and direction, and a career to step into. When young people have a sense of direction, this could lead to an increase in well-being within their immediate environment such as their families.
Adult education
FE Colleges may offer part-time and evening courses to adult learners in the local community. Attending these courses will help bring together people from the local community, to forge friendships and develop new skills.
Barbara has worked in an administrative job for the last 15 years. She wanted to change her career however she was not able to give up her full-time job and devote herself fully to studying. She decided to study counselling skills at her local FE College. She felt slightly worried at the start of her course as she had not engaged in studies for a number of years. When she struggled with writing assignments, she was able to turn to a study coach who the College provided. Within a few weeks, Barbara started to enjoy her studies. She made lots of friends in the College and very much looked forward to her classes on Tuesday evenings. After her first year of studies, she decided to continue and set herself the goal of becoming a qualified counsellor.
Local networking
Networking opportunities may help FE Colleges forge stronger employer partnerships. By engaging with the local business community, colleges can build collaborative partnerships with local businesses. Networking with local enterprises could help establish collaborations, attract talented FE employees, and explore potential volunteering opportunities for learners.
Employment of local people
Further Education Colleges provide specialist learning environments, often with state-of-the-art resources and technology. They employ a wide range of local individuals. They need assessors, teachers, career advisors, learning support assistants, departmental managers and leaders.
Teachers in Further Education can shape the curriculum to meet the employment needs of the future at both local and national levels. FE Teachers prepare young people to work in a dynamic and innovative sector. Teachers share their subject knowledge, their skills, and experience of working in the field of their specialism. They may act as a role model to the learners. They help students develop their self-confidence and become aware of their strengths.
Services open to the community
Some FE Colleges offer open client-side services to the public. Colleges which train learners in the subject area of hair and beauty may offer services to residents. The services are normally based within the college’s training environment. Learners are able to complement their studies with real-life practice, to improve their customer service skills and to get more client experience.
Community action
Many FE Colleges strive to develop positive relationships within the community and may be engaged in a wide range of projects to achieve this. Initiatives such as the ‘Good for Me, Good for FE’ help drive a sustainable programme of community action. It is a nationwide project encouraging FE staff and students across the country to get involved in local charities, volunteering, and community outreach. The awarded FE Colleges in 2024 include Walsall College, Dudley College, and Nottingham College.
For more information on current campaigns and initiatives, please visit the Association of Colleges website here.
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