The Most Issue 2

PRESTON’S COLLEGE SELECTED TO BE PART OF THEWORLDSKILLS UK CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE We’re delighted to announce that Preston’s College is one of the very first colleges to be part of the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence, in partnership with NCFE, to help develop a world-leading technical education sector. This means that Preston’s College will now work in collaboration with a further nineteen carefully selected UK colleges, in a unique opportunity to champion a skills-led recovery through apprenticeships and technical education. This will enable all young people to develop employability skills and to provide them with a superb and rewarding future career. The work will be led by WorldSkills UK High-Performance Skills Coaches, who are all experienced WorldSkills UK Training Managers. They will capture learnings from international competitions and use these to coach and mentor educators at Preston’s College who will pass this knowledge on to their students, ensuring they perform to international high standards of excellence in their skills. Dr Lis Smith, Principal and Chief Executive at Preston’s College says: “We’re really proud to be part of the Worldskills UK Centre of Excellence and we’re excited to begin work with the other organisations involved, to make a difference for learners in technical education. “The unique insights into the global skills system will undoubtedly continue to develop technical education, and in the current covid-related circumstances, these are just what is needed for a positive boost. “The WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence will enhance our teaching and curriculum innovation and provide our learners with a world-class skill set and mind-set so that they and their employers succeed. Preston’s College is committed to delivering excellence in all our training and teaching programmes and our partnership with WorldSkills UK and NCFE will ensure that this drive and focus continues.” Parisa Shirazi, Head of Skills Development and International Competition at WorldSkills UK, said: “This is a milestone moment – a fantastic opportunity for Preston’s College to work with other colleges across the UK and join the dawn of a skills revolution.” Fiona Birtchet-Sharpe, Head of School for the Service Industries at Preston’s College, says: “We are committed to delivering excellence in our training and teaching programmes at Preston’s College that is why we are working with WorldSkills UK and NCFE. The WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence will enhance our teaching and curriculum innovation and provide our students with a world-class skill set and mindset so that they and their employers will succeed.” | 34