WorldSkills unveils Maker to Mentor skills programme
WorldSkills UK has announced the Maker to Mentor programme which will see industry professionals work with educators to ensure training keeps pace with new technologies.
Maker to Mentor is the result of a new partnership with Tameside College in Ashton-under-Lyme to develop closer links between industry and education.
It will see industry professionals from organisations such as Siemens working closer with the college to ensure technical education reflects industry trends and technologies. The intention is to ensure that training keeps pace with industry innovations and individuals leave education with the skills and expertise suited to modern workshops.
In addition, Tameside College will support industry mentors achieve a Level 3 Certificate in Education and Training, with a further opportunity to progress onto a PGCE programme.
Best practice
Ben Blackledge, chief executive, WorldSkills UK said: “To keep pace with global best practice, we need a more innovative, employer-informed model of dual professionalism here in the UK, that is evident in other countries.
“This will allow educators to be kept up to date with the latest industry developments and ensure learners are developing the high-quality skills employers need to drive productivity and fuel growth across the economy.”
Collaborative teaching
Jodie McCormick, assistant principal, Tameside College, added: “This initiative presents a significant opportunity to further strengthen the partnership between industry and education through our dual immersion model, in which technical educators and industry professionals engage in reciprocal placements and collaborative teaching.
“Together, we will co-design and deliver industry-relevant curricula that ensure skills remain current and teaching remains exemplary.”
