Employer-led workshops that are taking place as part of the ETF’s T Level Professional Development offer have won praise from participants and the employers hosting them alike. The sessions embody the core Teach Too principles: genuine two-way street working, dual professionalism and a clear line of sight to work.
Their value to participants has been underlined by attendees including teachers and tutors, placement officers and heads and deputy heads of department, who have described them as “massively helpful”. Their feedback has also stressed the value of the workshops introducing technology they hadn’t previously used, increasing their practical knowledge of equipment, developing knowledge of the sector on which they focussed, and introducing individuals to industry contacts.
Participants have also identified ways in which learning from the day will impact on their T Level delivery, including in creating an innovative project to encourage engagement in health and safety teaching, in better preparing other staff for delivery, and in developing course content.
The employer organisations whch hosted the sessions are equally clear about the value of the sessions. Paul Robinett, CEO of The Robotic Workforce, which partnered with Richmond-upon-Thames College to deliver a day on digital skills, is unequivocal about the importance of the workshops: “I have looked at the T Level content for the Digital sector and it’s clear to see how these qualifications relate to the skills required of the workforce of the next generation. We need to make sure students are aware of emerging technology and the potential roles that they will be able to fulfil in the future. In terms of skills, the UK is a bit behind, so we have to source most of our talent from overseas. We hope T Levels will help to close that skills gap.”
His sentiments are echoed by Lesley Charlesworth-Browne, Deputy Chief Executive of St. Andrew’s Hospice, which provided a day of CPD that included a general overview of the healthcare sector and entry into it, focused on a number of specialisms including palliative care, and explored other practice including the safe and effective use of syringe drivers, managing diabetes, Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy feeding, and Care Quality Commission updates on the management of pressure ulcers.
“We are delighted to have been able to partner with Grimsby Institute to deliver a day’s industrial updating and CPD,” Lesley said. “The session was enhanced by the co-working of the candidates along with practitioners and other health professionals. The feedback has been massively positive, demonstrating the value of this collaborative working process. It also has huge benefits for the future of our sector, along with the opportunity for our staff to demonstrate their expertise.”
Further Employer-Led workshops are scheduled to take place in December and January and places on them can be booked now. There is no charge to attend for ESFA-funded providers. The workshops comprise two parts: Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) workshops that provide updates on key developments in the sector, and Practice and Development (PD) workshops that focus on elements of specific industry practice to give participants an insight into current working practices. The elements are bookable separately, but participants are encouraged to attend both.
For details of the ETF T Level Professional Development offer, visit the TLPD area of the website and sign up to receive the ETF’s TLPD bulletin.