Technology, immersive learning and business and education collaboration are key to successful future learning and careers, according to experts taking part in South East LEP-hosted round-table discussions on attracting more tutors to teach key industry skills.
The expert workshops were convened to bring together the right partners and facilitate collaboration between industry and education – one of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (SELEP) key roles – and address a shortage of tutors to deliver vital skills for sectors such as construction and engineering.
From January to April this year, there were more than 3,500 vacancies for tutors and lecturers across the SELEP area (covering Essex, Southend, Thurrock, Kent, Medway and East Sussex), which is an all-time high.
Through the South East LEP’s Major Projects Group, which consists of several major developments such as housing-led garden communities, the Lower Thames Crossing, Freeports, UKHSA relocation and Princess Alexander Hospital rebuild, together these reflect over £30bn of investment and will generate184,000 roles between 2025 and 2038.
However, one of the biggest challenges in supplying a local, skilled labour team is the shortage of tutors to teach the skills.
Held in partnership with SELEP’s Major Projects Group and three Local Skills Improvement Plans, these webinars on June 7 and 14, brought together more than 60 partners from the education sector, external parties and employers to share their views.
The first event focused on solutions to help alleviate demand through the use of technology and immersive learning and the second looked at effective recruitment and retention strategies to help attract and retain high-quality tutors.
The workshops were chaired by Simon Cook, Principal & CEO of Mid-Kent College and Deputy Chair of SELEP, said: “We heard how businesses were impressed with the discussions and ideas put forward, to work in collaboration to solve shared problems. This also demonstrated how the outstanding quality of the LEP’s network, spanning business and education, can foster collaboration and facilitate the sharing of learning among education providers in the future for the South East.”
Stuart Graham, Employment and Skills Manager, Balfour Beatty, said: “Regardless of what sector we work in, we are all concerned about the severe skills shortage and ability to attract and retain talent, and more so than ever before do we truly need to collaborate and address these critical issues. We all recognise there is no simple fix, but we also know between us we have a wealth of skills, knowledge and expertise that we aren’t really fully exploiting. The SELEP workshops to explore collaborative solutions for addressing tutor shortages, were extremely timely and valuable for us and we are committed to working with this regional network to start addressing some of our collective challenges. We have to, it’s critical for the future of all of businesses.”
SELEP chief executive, Adam Bryan said: “We were delighted with the significant contribution made to the discussions, including some excellent presenters and participant input about the challenges faced but, most importantly, innovative solutions for addressing them.”
Speakers included Dan Pearson, Principal and CEO, USP College; Cassandra Baxendale, Metaverse Learning; Neala Whybrow, Executive Director of Education, East Kent College; Stuart Graham, Balfour Beatty; Guy Hazelhurst, EDF Energy; Janet Clark, Director, FE Sussex; Neala Whybrow, Director of Education, East Kent College Group; Anthea Pratt, North East LEP; Jo Morrisey, Gateshead College.
Delegate partners were asked about the biggest single barrier to recruitment. Just under 40% said competition from industry; 22% thought it was the perception of further education; 17% said a lack of suitable candidates and 13% believed it was competition from colleges.
Pay has long been considered a hindrance for the sector to attract and retain high quality tutors yet when asked at each workshop, 71% and 90% of delegates respectively did not think a much higher salary offer would fully solve the problem.
Technology was considered crucial though, for example, in providing the capacity to deliver remote training and create immersive learning experiences across campuses and colleges. Doing this in partnership across colleges and industry was considered the most effective way. Collaborating on approaches to recruitment and tutor CPD was also considered crucial.
If you would like to hear more or get involved, please contact Helen Russell or Louise Aitken.