Harrogate College has put several measures in place for new students who will have had six months off from learning and for those who may not get the GCSE grades they need.
The further education college teaches vocational courses and BTEC qualifications. It’s concerned that many of its students arriving next month will have been away from a teaching environment for six months and may find returning to learning difficult.
The college is also providing additional teaching for students who need to pass their GCSE in maths and english for a particular course and hired more pastoral and counselling support staff.
Principal of the college, Danny Wild, said:
“We are expecting this cohort to do the same as what we’ve seen in the previous three or four years because the grades are assessed in the centres. There is a place for them here to get to where ever they want to be. We will help and support them in every way. If they haven’t received the grade they want we can put plans in place for them to start on a level two course.
“We always knew we’d have to put additional support in place after most students have had six months off. Regardless of their grades we are confident we have the right plans in place. This is just a small bump in the road for students they can get to where they want to be regardless of their grades.”
New and returning students can expect there to be new safety measures in place.
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- Harrogate College has welcomed the government’s incentives for businesses to hire apprentices.
- On average 37% of A-level grades in the district were changed by Ofqual, now these will be changed back to those predicted by teachers.
The college is putting further measures in place to facilitate students hoping to begin an apprenticeship. The college has said some of its partner businesses are struggling to accept students within the current climate but hopes the government’s monetary incentives will encourage them to hire again.
When the college reopens a ‘bubble’ system will be in place to control the chances of coronavirus. Its measures should ensure that if there is a positive case the disruption will be limited to a small group of students and staff.
Harrogate College welcomes cash boost for apprenticeships
The principal of Harrogate College says a government scheme to pay companies who take on new apprentices will help address the “skills gap” in Harrogate.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Danny Wild said he was “very pleased” at today’s announcement from the Chancellor — but the college is waiting for more details on how the scheme will operate.
In his summer statement Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that from August to January, any company that hires an apprentice aged 16 to 24 will receive £2,000 from the government, while those that hire apprentices over 25 will be paid £1,500.
The government will also inject £100m into further education colleges to create more places on level 2 and 3 courses.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Sunak said:
“Over 700,000 people are leaving education this year and many more are just starting out in their careers. Coronavirus has hit them hard. We cannot lose this generation.”
Harrogate College offers a number of apprenticeships in a range of sectors including hospitality, beauty and engineering.
They currently have 120 apprentices which they had hoped to double in 2021 before Covid-19 struck.
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Mr Wild said the scheme will encourage employers in the district to take on apprentices.
He said:
“18 – 19-year-olds are a real vulnerable group at the moment. We’re really pleased with this announcement and it supports what Harrogate College is trying to do in the district and some of the labour market needs that Harrogate has.”
Covid-19 has brought about a new way of working for many businesses and Mr Wild hopes some of them will take advantage of the scheme to re-skill staff.
He added:
“We’re not going back to be our offices from 9-5. A lot of businesses are looking at how they operate and pulling out of office spaces. This scheme will help businesses who have employees looking to move up or change their way of working.
“Apprenticeships are for all age groups and for all organisations. This money will help all businesses re-map how they are going to operate or bring new skills to their operation.
“The positive is it will address the skills gap within all businesses in the district.”