Skills training encourages students to become changemakers

Students took part in a range of interactive workshops and masterclasses to enhance their skills and careers knowledge.

Held at New City College Epping Forest Campus, the sessions, led by educational non-profit organisation UNLOC, were titled Skills Booster Training and Exploring Alternative Career Pathways.

Funding from the Essex Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) enabled the 50 workshops over four days to go ahead, giving around 250 students and 14 members of staff an insight into the UK’s fast-changing labour market and the skills needed to succeed in the jobs of the future.

They engaged in activities which explored a range of possible career routes beyond attending university, and the skills needed to navigate the world of work and the different opportunities available to them.

The workshops and masterclasses included:

Self-Employment: Looking at the changing labour market and what being self-employed means
The Fast-Changing Labour Market: What skills and jobs will be more or less important now versus in the future
Apprenticeships: Myth-busting sessions on apprenticeships followed by a talk from a current apprentice
Project and Freelance Working: Exploring the growth in freelance working and the tools needed to be successful
Professional networking and developing a professional image
Communicating and working as a team
Speaking and presenting – as well as excelling at interviews

Students took part in a range of interactive workshops and masterclasses to enhance their skills at New City College Epping Forest Campus. Sessions were led by trainers from UNLOC.

The UNLOC trainers, who each have experience of setting up their own successful businesses, aimed to empower every young person to become a changemaker through the challenging and inspiring talks and presentations.

Kerry Green, NCC Group Head of Careers & IAG said: “These sessions were excellent and have helped New City College and its staff upskill young people on a range of crucial skills for work, study and the adult world.

“Learners who took part now have a thorough understanding of apprenticeships, self-employment, freelance working, networking, interviews and CVs, building resilience and personal branding.”

Applications are open – apply now and join our successful college to benefit from upskilling opportunities