Businesses hear how college is tackling the skills shortage
BUSINESSES in Rugby have heard how a local college is finding innovative ways to tackle the skills shortage in the area.
The Rugby campus of WCG hosted the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s latest Rugby branch meeting and gave firms the lowdown on how it works with business when structuring courses.
It recently unveiled a Logistics Hub at Rugby College on the back of meetings with the Chamber – and, across the group of colleges, has new specialisms in agriculture, horticulture, hospitality and cyber security to help meet the needs of the local economy.
Neil Coker, group vice principal for curriculum, also revealed that the college is planning an industry day in 2019 to bring businesses across sectors such as construction, engineering and rail, together with young people.
He said: “There are lots of challenges and we are working hard to find the solutions for both businesses and our students.
“One of those challenges is highlighting to students and their parents the potential for fantastic careers in some of the sectors that they may not have previously considered in such as logistics and transport management.
“That’s why we are looking to hold an industry day in late March 2019 to bring companies and students together in order to make more young people aware of regional job opportunities and associated training.”
Karen Shuter, branch chairperson of the Chamber, welcomed the idea. She said: “A shortage of skills is something we hear time and again from Chamber members and it’s great to have WCG on our patch trying to address that.
“The dialogue between business and education must continue for the good of companies, young people and the wider economy.”
Any businesses wishing to get involved should get in contact with WCG via events@wcg.ac. uk.