Local College Forms Skills Hub with Employers Including Chelsea FC

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Aiming to ensure students are given the skills local bosses are looking for

Ealing, Hammersmith and West London’s College has teamed up with some of our area's biggest employers, including Chelsea Football Club and Heathrow Airport. to form a new skills development hub.

The hub aims to provide a forum for discussion about the skills students need to meet needs of their potential bosses.

This will include looking at changes which might be made to skills courses to ensure the students are ready to start work when they leave further education.

The Berkeley Group, which is behind many of the large developments in the borough, Thames Tideway, which is building the 'super sewer' and some key education institutions have also joined the hub.

By cooperating directly with companies via the hub, the college, which includes Hammersmith and and Fulham College at its Hammersmith campus in Gliddon Road, can help to ensure its students have the best employment opportunities, as courses are designed to plug any existing or future skills gaps.

The hub has already received the backing of the Department for Education, which has granted funds of £50,000 to back the venture and ensure its continued success.

Through the hub, the college has already discovered that there is a shortage of construction plant operatives within London. As a result, they are now in discussion with JCB and other major companies about the possibility of opening a digger school to fulfil this need.

Garry Phillips, CEO at Ealing Hammersmith and West London’s College, says: “Our aims are to be employer responsive, student led and locally focused. We want to eliver the business and technical acumen our students need to be ready for the world of work or go on to higher education."

“As London’s leading career college, the hub gives us the opportunity to work with companies that together employ over 100,000 people to offer them the specialisms they need.

“It’s exciting to lead this transformation – we’re forging real and lasting connections between students and the employers of the future and ensuring west London’s vibrant economy for years to come.”

Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College has also recently, announced its intention to merge with Kensington and Chelsea College, another move designed to boost students' employment opportunities.

 

July 26, 2017