Technical education & apprenticeships: raising awareness
On 23rd November, the government released guidance on what schools must do to meet the upcoming requirements of the Technical and Further Education Act 2017.
The Act, which will come in to force on 2 January 2018, puts a statutory duty on all maintained schools and academies to “ensure that there is an opportunity for a range of education and training providers to access registered pupils during the relevant phase of their education for the purpose of informing them about approved technical education qualifications or apprenticeships”.
To meet the requirements of the Act, a school must “explain in a policy statement how providers can get involved with your school and the opportunities you have for them to talk to your pupils”. This must be subsequently “published on the school website”. A copy of the guidance can be viewed here.
Support for students into Further Education from WCG
Warwickshire College Group (WCG) is proud of its reputation for offering a wide range of programmes for young people with a variety of needs and also for those who are disengaged with mainstream education and lacking in motivation and engagement.
We have a broad offer of Level 1 provision at each college including Hospitality and Catering, Engineering, Electrical Installation, Health and Childhood Studies, Light Vehicle Maintenance, Plumbing, Prince’s Trust Achieve and Foundation Skills Programmes in Construction, Land based and Catering. We offer a highly supportive learning environment to students as well as a progression path to further qualifications. WCG currently supports students with additional needs, both in mainstream and bespoke programmes and our reputation for this is excellent.
Our dedicated teams of professionals provide support for a wide range of needs. These teams include Learning Mentors, the Autism Specialist Team, the Emotional Health and Mental Well Being Team, the Dyslexia Specialist Team, Academic Learning Support and the Preparation for Adulthood hub at The White House, based at Moreton Morrell College.
For 14-16 year old students still at school who may be becoming disengaged, we also have a re-engagement team who are able to offer a range of programmes, as an alternative to or in parallel with mainstream teaching, to help those students explore their options for the future and keep them in education. Popular programmes include Prince’s Trust Achieve, Positive Choices, Head Start, Construction Multi skills, Motor Vehicle Maintenance, Animal Welfare and Hair & Beauty, If you would like to discuss working with the re-engagement team please email Chris Gately: cgately@wcg.ac.uk
Skills Conference 2018 - 7th March 2018
Our 4th annual conference for Headteachers and business leaders will take place on 7th March 2018, 8.00-10.00am at the National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre, Stoneleigh.
Focused on the Skills challenges Brexit will bring, the conference will highlight the type, level and location of future jobs opportunities for young people from 2020. It will also consider how changes to the curriculum may have an impact.
The networking and round-table discussion sessions of the event will provide a great opportunity for schools to meet new businesses. The success achieved by many of our schools, colleges and young people will also be celebrated through film- clips of key projects funded by Skills for Employment grants.
More detail and information on how to book will be sent directly to schools and colleges in January and will appear in the next edition of Heads Up.