Industry 🤝 Education - Health and Social Care Employers Forum Success

In a world where the demand for skilled healthcare and social care professionals continues to grow, fostering strong partnerships between educational institutions and employers is not just beneficial but essential. Weston College recently showcased this by celebrating the connections already in place with employers, and looking at how they can be developed, plus looking at how new connections can be made. The College hosted a Health & Social Care Employer Forum with a gathering of employer partners, including Sirona Care & Health, University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Trust, Worcester Lodge, and Access your Care, all coming together to explore opportunities for collaboration and engagement.

The day began with a tour of the state-of-the-art Health and Active Living Skills Centre. Employers were given the opportunity to explore the cutting-edge facilities, equipped with the latest technology and resources designed to simulate real-world healthcare scenarios. This immersive experience allowed employers to gain insight into the quality of education and training students receive at Weston College.

The event also featured engaging talks by the college's staff, alongside focus group discussions to discuss the various educational pathways for learners to access careers in the sector and how the College can support employers to access funding to train their workforce. Discussions centred around apprenticeships, T Levels, and other ways employers could actively participate in shaping the future workforce of the sector.

The day concluded with certificates of appreciation being awarded to the attending employers, recognising their support of learners who attended an industry work placement alongside their course in the previous academic year. 

The Health & Social Care forum at Weston College was undoubtedly a resounding success. It not only provided a platform for employers to understand the college's commitment to producing highly skilled professionals but also encouraged them to actively engage in the learner journey.

Catrin Evans, Head of Class-based Learning for Health & Sport said “This event served as a catalyst for developing employer partnerships that have impact, which is an essential part of our Health & Social Care Careers Excellence Hub. Our aim is to create ‘real world ready’ learners, providing opportunities to engage with employers during their course, and understanding of the breadth of careers available in the sector, and giving learners opportunities to progress to these careers. We really enjoyed the conversations with employers as their input to curriculum design and content is key to the College providing future professionals for the sector.”

Dave Crew, Head of Business Growth & Employer Partnerships said “In addition to discussing opportunities for employers to engage with college learners, the forum provided an opportunity for employers to shape the training offered by the College for their workforce. We see our Health & Active Living Skills Centre as being a key hub for employer training, and look forward to working with the sector offer high-quality training delivered by our staff who are professionals from industry.”

The Health & Social Care forum at Weston College was a resounding success that showcased the college's commitment to bridging the gap between education and industry. By inviting employers to explore their cutting-edge facilities, engage in insightful discussions, and recognize their contributions, Weston College has set the stage for meaningful collaborations that will benefit students and the healthcare and social care sectors for years to come.

To attend future forums and discover the opportunities available to access funding to train your workforce, email employers@weston.ac.uk.