Sandwell College’s Post

Yesterday, I had the privilege of facilitating an enlightening roundtable in Bathgate Academy, togther with The Herald Scotland where the future of education and workforce readiness took centre stage. With a mix of teachers, students and business we were able to create a deeper understanding of the challenges each face but more importantly the solutions we can bring to create a talent pool which will support our future economy. Headteacher Eileen Paxton was great, sharing her inspiring visions for education, emphasising the need for integration of business experiences to unlock the creative potentials of our future workforce. This approach not only diversifies learning but also prepares students for the challenges presented by the real-world. 🚀 Highlight of the day: The unanimous enthusiasm to see such positive feedback about businesses playing a pivotal role in education. This type of collaboration done well and systematically will level the playing field for students from all academic backgrounds. 💡 Insightful takeaway: The understanding of a "robust talent pipeline" and the focus on nurturing underestimated talent. We focus too often on the top academics but it is crucial that we ensure every student sees clear, tangible career opportunities ahead. 🔍 A recurring theme was the need for clarity in career opportunities available to students. The students were excellent in providing their view on the access to opportunities and the need for more consistent engagement with businesses to better understand ‘what’s out there’. 💬 From a business perspective, companies like BAM UK & Ireland, AECOM and Lantra are investing heavily in their sectors, aiming to be proactive rather than reactive. Sporadic visits and careers fairs are not moving the dial. Social Bite laid out the opportunities in the third sector which are equally diverse. 🌐 The roundtable also concluded that essential skills for the future, like communication, team building, and collaboration, will be vital across all careers. As we move forward, at Powering Futures we are determined to foster this type of dialogue between educators, businesses, and students. Through these collaborative efforts we can co-create solutions which map our educational systems to the careers of the future with all of the key stakeholders at the table. #EducationInnovation #FutureOfWork #PoweringFutures #BusinessEducationPartnership #CareerDevelopment Ian Steele Joy Woods - MBA, BSc, PIEMA Angela Halliday Josh Littlejohn MBE Joanne Melarkey Steph O'Donnell Jim Ewing Jennifer Lewis Paul Steen Garrett Stell

Not a study you want read if you are in Talent Acquisition trying to attract new graduates in any of the top listed cities. New York City is no surprise, but my home base of greater Portland Maine holding strong at number 6, in the top 10 worst, confirms what my recently graduated kids are experiencing. #talentacquisition #jobs #costofliving #employment #Maine NYC is ranked worst for college grads as they start their careers https://mol.im/a/13423275

🍊 Calling All Boston Employers! 🍊 Interested in engaging with Syracuse University's brightest Sophomores and Juniors in Boston? We are excited to partner with dynamic companies to offer our students immersive learning experiences during Spring Break 2025 (March 9-14)! Syracuse students are eager to learn about your company and industry. By hosting a group of students, you can: Share Knowledge: Provide insights into your company's operations, culture, and industry. Spot Talent: Identify potential future employees and interns. Give Back: Contribute to the professional development of the next generation. Here’s how you can get involved: Host a Company Tour with Q&A Session: Show students your workspace and explain your processes. Allow students to ask questions and learn from your expertise. Panel Discussions: Give students a chance to hear from multiple employers in a group setting. ✨ Benefits to Your Company: - Enhance your corporate social responsibility efforts. - Gain fresh perspectives from enthusiastic young minds. - Build a pipeline of future talent. Simultaneously, we will also be in DC during Spring Break (March 9-12)! Get in Touch: If you’re interested in participating or need more details, please reach out! Join us in shaping the future of our workforce! Let's inspire and empower these students together. 🍊 #CareerServices #HireOrange #Learning #FutureLeaders #HigherEducation #DCjobs #Bostonjobs #DC #Boston Lisette DesMarais Child

We are very excited to see this incredible expansion of FutureReadyNYC, announced by Mayor Eric Adams and Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. This initiative is transforming the futures of NYC’s high school students by connecting them to paid internships, mentorship, and industry-aligned skills. Here’s what’s new: ✅ Expansion to 135 schools, reaching 15,000 students ✅ New career pathways in HVAC & Decarbonization and Human & Social Services ✅ Continued focus on high-growth sectors like technology, healthcare, and finance FutureReadyNYC is more than a program—it’s a gateway to opportunity. With hands-on learning, college credit, and real-world experiences, it’s setting the stage for NYC students to excel in 21st-century careers. We're thrilled to support initiatives that prepare young talent for a skills-first economy. Together, we’re paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future. Watch the announcement video: https://lnkd.in/ghphBime #YouthApprenticeship #CareerConnectedLearning #FutureReadyNYC #CareerWiseNY #EconomicOpportunity

Delighted to share our latest exciting experiential learning project with  The Careers & Enterprise Company for school students, introducing - Springville. A big shout out to Springpod and the team at The Careers & Enterprise Company for bringing their shared vision to life so young people can explore the world of work. #virtualworkexperience #careerpathways #experientiallearning #futurecareers #careerjourneys  #careersadvice

Last night in Acme, Alberta, a dynamic meeting brought together almost 40 community partners from 26 businesses and organizations with school leadership to discuss a shared vision: empowering the next generation of talent. The conversation focused on strengthening the already robust off-campus programming our schools have established. With a long-standing history of innovation and excellence, our schools have consistently produced proud, engaged citizens who contribute to the vibrancy of Acme, Carbon, and Linden. These communities thrive thanks to local entrepreneurs who connect global markets with their creativity and resourcefulness. This spirit of collaboration extends to our education system, where community partnerships provide seamless, personalized learning experiences for students. These partnerships, built on a foundation of effective educational models, allow students to develop valuable transferable skills while pursuing customized educational and career pathways tailored to their individual needs. The meeting highlighted several key advancements: CAREERS: Next Generation: Participants were introduced to CAREERS: Next Generation (https://lnkd.in/gmPi5ZKa), a program designed to further enhance career readiness and connect students with future opportunities. Innovative Partnerships in Education: Housed within the new Acme School's Innovation Centre (currently under construction,) this program is a game-changer in preparing all students for a future where creative thinking, critical inquiry, collaborative group processes, effective communication, and the ability to navigate dynamic environments are the foundational skills of a healthy and thriving society. Enhanced Safety Training: The importance of thorough safety training for high school students was emphasized. This commitment ensures students are well-prepared before undertaking any off-campus work placements. Shifting Perspectives: The meeting culminated with a thought-provoking challenge: Considering that today's youth often lack relevant experience, (often misinterpreted as laziness, entitlement, or disinterest,) how can we further bridge the gap between education and the workplace? Investing in the Future: Young talent brings innovative ideas and a digital edge to businesses. Investing in their development ensures a skilled workforce ready to meet future challenges. Strong community partnerships nurture local youth, fostering a vibrant and sustainable community. Through hands-on experience, students gain valuable workplace skills and the confidence to pursue their goals. Join the Conversation: The Acme, Carbon, and Linden communities are leading the way in fostering collaboration and support for student success. We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below! How can we further bridge the gap between education and the workplace in your industry? #education #workforcedevelopment #communitypartnership #CAREERSNextGen #InnovativeEducation

NTU students are great! Enjoyed some impressive interactions with our School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment (ADBE) students yesterday. Firstly, the 'Future Practices' exhibition of 'virtual' architectural practices created by Gavin Orton's final year Architecture students. A great display of creativity, innovation and commercial awareness with students working in groups to create their own architectural practices, complete with business plans, marketing strategies, branding and websites. A fantastic way to help students understand the business and financial aspects of practice to complement their design skills. Later in the day, our student Placement and Work Experience Champions hosted a student-led event promoting and discussing placement and work experience options for 1st and 2nd year students. This was a really well attended event which involved a panel discussion with students discussing their diverse experiences and sharing their top tips, followed by informal networking and further conversation over pizza where students could learn from each other as well as chatting to colleagues from the Employability Team and the Enterprise Team. There was also a photographer offering free professional headshots for students to use on their LinkedIn profiles. All in all a great event and I was struck by the maturity and professionalism of our students and their willingness to share their experiences and advice to help inspire others. Some key takeaways included: - The importance of being proactive and reaching out to potential employers or placement providers to ask for opportunities. The worst that can happen is that they say no! - The benefits of getting involved in extra curricular opportunities such as competitions and international exchange programmes - you never know where they could lead you. - Using placements and work experience to explore your career ideas and inform your future career planning - even if it's ruling out things you don't like. Thanks and congrats to all involved including Liz Radice-Smith, Ishita Arora Molly Greene Mary Joan Bautista Soriano Minh Doan Chyenne Astwood, NYAM John Edward Harrison Jet Afriyie Nanfe Lar Vicky Corder NTU Enterprise NTU Employability #peersincareers #inspiration #ProudToBeNTU

Ok The problem in the profession of architecture is that the supply of architects going into traditional jobs is just too high. Around 4500 architects graduate a year in the UK alone. The construction industry has to continuously grow to offer employment to all involved in the industry. In a context where we have a climate crisis and a profession which rather than thinking systemically about future of cities and built environment, tweaks at its edges with zero carbon initiatives and so on, comfortably accepting business as usual. This business as usual is protected by architectural journalists, institutions and the dinosaur of a profession. With planetary resources diminishing, where we have to build less (even if retrofit) and where our cities are becoming monocultural non-places, the practice of the architect needs to expand to address much wider contemporary issues that impacts our built environment rather than our obsession with the built form. This obsession with built form for which awards are given and magazines publish articles that incentivises traditional practitioners, reduces the visibility for architects who have innovated in new forms of practice to emerge. Teaching graduates to innovate in new architectural practice forms that goes beyond the canons where architects may never have existed is truly creative. Recently, an ex-student of ours who studied with us at the RCA and is now working in Basildon Borough Council convinced the council to employ architects in various council departments due to their strategic, large scale and systemic design thinking. There are numerous creative architects inventing what 21st century architecture profession is. Why can’t we see them? Why isn’t the profession celebrating them? THE CONTRMPORARY INNOVATION IN ARCHITECTURE IS NOT ARCHITECTURAL FORM BUT ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE AS AN AESTHETIC THING.

How do we transform culture in construction and enable greater flexibility and diversity in the workforce? In the latest edition of our #IndustryPerspectives column Stefanie Nutt, People & Culture Director for John Holland's M7-M12 Integration Project, shares how she successfully influenced change from within.   Stefanie championed the Late Start program, which allows site workers to attend a pre-start meeting at 8:45am, instead of the traditional 6:45am start. This enables them to fulfill personal responsibilities, such as school drop-offs or caring duties, while pursuing a fulfilling career in construction.   "The response has been overwhelming," Stefanie writes. "The pilot program attracted hundreds of applicants, from which we selected 11 women with diverse backgrounds and industry experience. Now, six months into an apprenticeship, these remarkable individuals can balance the demands of their personal lives while pursuing careers they once thought were out of reach."   "To make an impact and drive real change, you need to earn the respect of others and build teams that work cohesively towards shared goals. It’s not easy, but it’s absolutely worth the effort, the hours and the conversations required to get there." Read Stefanie's article here: https://lnkd.in/g56GrqTG Do you have a contribution for #IndustryPerspectives? Email media@roads.org.au