BMet’s first regional employer board meeting under the Career College model – held to further cement construction skills needs
Key construction industry workers joined forces with BMet this month at a pioneering regional breakfast employer board meeting, held at James Watt College.
The first of its kind event in the Midlands under the Career College model, attracted representatives from a range of leading organisations including Careys, McCarthy Group and Winvic. The aim was to collaboratively discuss ways to further enhance courses and training opportunities that meet sector needs.
Digital skills, sustainability and future skills for the future workforce were the focus for the special meeting.
As well as introducing ideas to further enhance BMet courses and apprenticeships, opportunities to incorporate staff upskilling training as part of Continued Professional Development were also explored.
The board meeting also further complemented the college’s career focused pathways and pro-active initiatives including having a purpose-built construction site, the groundwork and civil engineering construction academy training center called “DIG” (the department for infrastructure and ground works) – all specially designed to bridge the gap in the construction sector’s skills shortages
Andy Lees, Department Director for Construction at James Watt College, said: “It is great to be able to further develop our curriculum in ways that will be beneficial to student learning needs, alongside sector needs.
“As a college that positively aligns itself with the vision of employers to develop the skills of their workforces in line with industry needs, we are so pleased to be able to facilitate this forward-thinking employer board meeting. The fact that we have been given the chance to hold the first employer board for the region is a bonus!
“Our first meeting was a success, with lots of scope for positive change and development. It was very productive to be able to share ideas and learn from each other and we are looking forward to the next employer board meeting.”
BMet offers a range of courses and apprenticeships at its James Watt College and Erdington Skills Centre sites in subjects such as bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing and multi-skills, that are specially designed to upskill students and employer workforces.
The Construction Board Meeting enabled trade professionals to come together to help shape BMet’s current and future curriculum, whilst also sharing ideas for employer skills development.
Speaking about the productive first construction employer board meeting, here is what some attendees had to say:
Steve McCarthy, from the McCarthy Group: “Today was about forming a much-needed collaboration. It has allowed synergy between education and the real world, which is beneficial for the college, students and employers alike. It was a very rewarding meeting, and I am looking forward to coming to the next!”
Emma Rhymes, from Winvic, added: “It was a fantastic board meeting today. It was great to learn more about the college and see how we can further work together. I think the topics of discussion were relevant and in line with the ever changing and growing sector needs. I’m happy to be involved in upskilling our work force and am looking forward to developing ideas!”
You can find out more about BMet’s range of courses and apprenticeships including those related to construction for students of all ages here.
You can also find out about BMet’s employer partnerships here.