The impact of Covid-19 on learners and businesses in the West Midlands has been unprecedented. As we move through the public health emergency, further education colleges in the West Midlands will play a pivotal role. We recognise that Covid-19 may change ways of studying and working in the future. Many of you, as residents in the region, may need to refresh and redevelop your skills.
Colleges in the West Midlands are working collaboratively for you. We have agreed on this Education and Skills Pledge to support both individual learners and the region’s businesses.
In addition to the great courses offered across our colleges, we are committed to supporting anyone who is out of work, helping them to gain new employment or re-train. We will also support businesses, helping them to restart and flourish again. We will provide higher and technical skill development opportunities required by employers.
Colleges West Midlands is delighted to be working collaboratively for you in these challenging times.
Lowell Williams
Chair Colleges West Midlands
Our Pledge
1
All learners will continue to receive online or distance learning delivery right through to the end of the summer term.
2
All full-time learners (whether new or continuing) will receive an enhanced transition programme at the start of the new academic year to ensure they are able to successfully move on with their studies.
3
Young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) or long term unemployed will be supported directly through college focussed programmes and with specialist help and referrals.
4
Our adult education provision will be reconfigured to focus on areas of need and to support more flexibilities in the way adults may wish to study.
5
Unemployed adults, recently redundant, or long-term furloughed employees from high risk industries, will have access to an expanded range of redeployment programmes to enable a prompt return to employment.
6
Apprentices will continue to receive learning and reviews online until safe working arrangements at employer premises are agreed by both parties and employers will still be able to sign up new apprentices and begin their programme at any time during the period where access to college sites is restricted.
7
Learners progressing to higher education will be able to access an optional transition programme to support their next steps.
8
We will create a single access point to support employers looking to recruit new employees.
