Students shine brightly at launch of UK Employability Week
The Sandwell Colleges proudly championed the potential of young people to become the future workforce needed for the skills revolution in Birmingham and the West Midlands yesterday. The theme of the inaugural National Employability Week is “Unlocking Potential – Inspiring Young Birmingham”.
Lisa Capper MBE, CEO and Principal for The Sandwell Colleges, and Dr Rebecca Gater, Chief Executive and Principal from Solihull College and University Centre facilitated a panel discussion with a group of young people from the 4 founding colleges who are the lead education partners in National Employability Week, an inspiring initiative led by EmployabilityUK which takes place from 7th – 11th July in Birmingham.
The panel was part of a high-profile launch event which brought together influential employers, civic leaders, educators, voluntary sector and young people from across the region to celebrate those colleges and employers who are unlocking the potential of young people and young adults.
Guests also heard from the Lord Mayor of Birmingham – Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE, Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE, Patron of Employability UK, Deputy Mayor for West Midlands Combined Authority Cllr Sharon Thompson, and other college leaders who all spoke about opening-up opportunities for work readiness as one of the ways to address the urgent challenges around youth unemployment and economic inactivity. The event set the tone for a week of action, collaboration and inspiration.
The panel discussion shone a spotlight on the collective action needed to create a workforce fit for the future.
Lisa was joined by T Level Health Adult Nursing students, Sara and Ledda aged 17 and 18 from The Sandwell Colleges along with students from South and City College Birmingham, Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet) and Solihull College and University Centre, together they highlighted the transformative impact of high-quality skills development, work experience, industry immersion and supportive education pathways.
Lisa Capper MBE, Principal and CEO said: “It was a real privilege to host the student panel discussion as part of the launch of National Employability Week, and to hear directly from our students who are now excelling their field and chosen occupations. At The Sandwell Colleges, we know that the softer but essential employability skills are crucial alongside excellent teaching and learning which is why we have chosen to be a founding partner of this new initiative.
Student panellist Ledda added: “I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I left school. I discovered college and the T Level in Adult Nursing. The extended work experience was inspiring and has set me up for a brilliant career ahead.”
The Sandwell Colleges newly launched strategic vision ‘Your Future Our Focus’ places future ready skills, collaboration, partnerships, and progression opportunities at the heart of everything. Always ambitions for learners and by working with employers, civic leaders and charities such as EmployabilityUK, the vision outlines an ambitious strategy designed to tackle economic inequity through inclusive skills pathways and strong employer partnerships.
By taking a leading role in National Employability Week, The Sandwell Colleges are helping to ensure the West Midlands remains at the forefront of tackling youth unemployment and building a brighter future for all.
