Students and staff welcomed Peter Swallow MP, the Labour Member of Parliament for Bracknell, Crowthorne, Sandhurst and Whitegrove, to Bracknell and Wokingham College.
During the visit, Mr Swallow was given a tour of the Church Road campus, where he saw the Pharma Lab, Care Skills Training Centre, High Needs provision spaces, and Sustainable Technologies workrooms. While touring the college, Mr Swallow also got the chance to chat with students and staff about what it is like to study in these areas.
The tour also showcased the college’s Ofsted Outstanding graded High Needs provision to Mr Swallow. Michelle Parks, Group Director of Lifeskills Faculty, showed him around the Autistic Spectrum Condition Centre and Mr Swallow met with students on the Pre-Internship Programme. These are students who are taking part in the college’s learning companies, work-based learning programmes designed to help them learn skills for work. During this part of his visit, Mr Swallow got the opportunity to also visit two Supported Foundation classes and discussed funding for this area.
After the tour, Mr Swallow met with Jon Adams, Chief Strategy Officer, Ben Jokiel, Group Director of Construction and Engineering Faculty and Bracknell and Wokingham College, and Anna-May Hicks, Head of Sales – Educator Academy, Activate Apprenticeships, to discuss the innovative new Level 6 Diploma in Careers Guidance and Development, a programme that has been designed to transform schools’ careers curriculum.
Reflecting on the visit, Mr Swallow, said: “It was fantastic to see the work that Bracknell and Wokingham College are doing in the community on everything from sustainable technologies to healthcare.
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk to young people with SEND who are being supported through to employment.
“Activate Learning’s new way of training careers advisors to support the next generation is an innovative approach which will help local young people take control of their futures.”
Ben Jokiel, Group Director of Construction and Engineering Faculty and Bracknell and Wokingham College, Activate Learning, said: “It was a pleasure to host Peter here at the college to show how we help to transform young people, adults and the community through learning and to see his commitment to the environment and the local skills economy.
“The visit gave us the opportunity to showcase our outstanding high needs provision, which helps high needs students to progress to further study or the world of work.
“We really look forward to working with Peter and his team.”
Anna-May Hicks, Head of Sales – Educator Academy, Activate Apprenticeships, said: “It was fantastic to welcome Peter Swallow MP to Bracknell and Wokingham College, to introduce him to our new Level 6 Careers Guidance and Development programme.
“Empowering students to navigate their own career journeys is at the heart of meaningful careers education, and it’s crucial for the future of our workforce.
“Our new programme, designed specifically for careers professionals in schools, aims to elevate careers education, inspiring young people to take confident steps towards their futures. I am excited to see the positive impact this initiative will have on our young people and our workforce.”
Find out more about the Supported Foundation courses at Bracknell and Wokingham College or the Level 6 Careers Guidance and Development programme or contact us on 0800 612 6008.