FE News | Skills Guarantee launches for students at The Sheffield College

Sheffield College (@sheffcol) has launched a new commitment to ensure its study programs for young people enable them to be career ready.

The new Skills Guarantee outlines the support that students completing full-time study programs can expect when they enroll for education and training.

Around 13,000 young people and adults complete a wide range of academic and technical qualifications each year, from entry to university level.

Of these, there are approximately 5,000 students aged 16 to 19 completing full-time qualifications as well as additional activities that comprise their degree programme.

Dave Trounce, Deputy Principal, Sheffield Collegesaid: “We are delighted to launch the Skills Guarantee to help our students become career ready.

“We are committed to supporting all full-time students in a program of study to acquire the knowledge, skills and behaviors needed to get ahead in learning, work and life.”

All full-time students aged 16-19 will be eligible for all aspects of the Skills Guarantee, which includes some new and revised elements of the study programme.

The guarantee will provide students with a range of support during their study programmes, such as an introduction, weekly group tutorials and one-to-one meetings.

It also covers enrichment opportunities to broaden students’ understanding of their field of study and work-related activities, which may include an industry placement.

Developing digital skills is a key theme, with students supported to develop a digital portfolio that can be used to present their work to potential employers.

The Guarantee is committed to providing careers education and a progression or exit tutorial that provides independent advice and guidance, supporting students in their next steps.

In addition, it reinforces the College’s commitment to employer engagement in the curriculum, including through its award-winning Employer Skills Academies program and support for students to continue to develop their English and Maths skills.

A wide range of employment and enrichment activities are offered to full-time students. These include hearing from experts through industry talks and learning skills on the job through internships, as well as participating in competitions, trips and sports clubs.

Beauty therapy student Ellie Corps recently took part in the trip of a lifetime to Thailand, which provided a chance to develop personal and technical skills.

The 10-day trip for the beauty and catering students was funded by the Turing Scheme, which provides opportunities for students to study, work and train abroad. Colleges, schools and universities apply annually for funding from the government program on behalf of students.

Beauty students have completed a qualification in traditional Thai massage at the Chiva Som Academy in Bangkok. They also learned about using herbs to soothe physical ailments.

Ellie said: “It’s not every day you get to travel to Thailand as part of your course. I loved everything about the trip. It was really good to learn about Thai massage, which is very different compared to other styles.”

Meanwhile, the college also runs a number of international industry internships for T-level students in Indonesia and Fiji.

Other students, such as those in catering and hospitality, are supported to compete in high-profile industry competitions to develop their skills.

This year, students Beth Brewster, Joe Defries and Phoebe Tuttle won Zest Quest Asia 2024 and a week-long trip to New Delhi, India.

Joe Defries said: “I’m really enjoying my course and I’ve learned a lot. I think it’s good because it gives us skills that translate directly into the industry. In the long term, I would like to travel and work abroad. The competition really opened my eyes to other cuisines.”