Interview with Ros Parker, Principal, Isle of Wight College.
This academic year at the Isle of Wight College begins with some new opportunities, including the chance to study for T Levels and new courses such as e-Sports for the first time. As well as a new intake of students, the College also welcomes a new Principal. Ros Parker talks to Island Business about how she wants to engage with Island employers as well as students of all ages.
How important do you see the relationship between the College and the Island’s business community? How do you want Island employers to perceive the College?
Our relationship with employers is critical in building a relevant curriculum and learning opportunities that really do prepare people for entry into employment and progression in their careers on the Island
I want businesses to see us as a professional environment that is committed to preparing young people and adults for the world of work. We have invested in this college for the benefit of the Island and the pipeline of future employees that we’re creating in this college. We’re a place where we build aspiration, a place where we develop skills and where we’re not frightened to diversify. Whether it’s plumbing, e-Sports, health and social care or developing people’s English and maths skills, it’s all important to us.
I also want people to see that we area community asset–a college that cares about its local people. We are here for our young people, preparing them for work and further learning. We are here to advance their aspirations. But we’re also here to support adults, promoting the options and opportunities for them to reskill and upskill. We also help people who are not in work at the moment to prepare for the world of work and prepare people to make or accelerate their progress in their current employment or into a new career. We can do that alongside employers and the community
We provide a nurturing, caring environment full of talented and knowledgeable staff, ready to welcome local people and employers into our college. We offer a wide selection of different pathways; whether your interest is animal care, public services, digital, or our foundation courses we aim to provide huge value beyond skills and qualifications. You’ll still get the opportunity, no matter what your entry point, to experience what it’s like to be in the workplace and to prepare for independence
So, what can the college offer Island businesses? How do you want to engage with employers?
As a local college, we can help upskill the current workforce with relevant opportunities. We would like to understand the needs of our employers to ensure we are planning relevant and contextualised learning. We would like to support our local businesses to build the skills they need from local people. We would like to understand from the employers what their recruitment needs are, so that we can work alongside them to provide young people with the most important skills and attributes which will really create an opportunity for them to enter the workplace and fill those recruitment gaps.
We also want to evolve our skills offering for the future, so we’re not just working with employers on what they need now but understand what their needs might be in three, four- or five-years’ time. For me it’s all about making our curriculum relevant now and for the future.
It’s also really important for our young people to see employers here in the college. We’ve created an amazing business centre which is a bright, professional, welcoming environment. We want businesses to come and use this space. Seeing businesses in operation is incredibly powerful in terms of raising young people’s aspirations. Businesspeople coming in, talking to our young people and taking part in information and advice and guidance sessions really helps to inform young people’s choice and helps them to understand the career pathways available to them.
What do you want to bring to your new role?
I’m really passionate about what I do. I care greatly about creating opportunities for future generations. I didn’t have a very good school experience. I left and went straight out to work, which taught me an awful lot about business. I started my own business, which made me realise the diversity of skills required, and the dedication and effort needed to make a business work. I would like to bring my skills and experience into the college to take it on its next part of the journey. In many ways I still see myself as a businessperson, working in education.
The College offers an amazing opportunity for young people and adults, in a caring and nurturing environment. That’s quite unusual and very, very special. I am proud of the support that our staff give to learners, with real passion and energy to prepare young people for the world of work and that’s been an incredible thing for me to walk into. It’s a great opportunity for me too and I feel very privileged.
“If we don’t work alongside our local employers on the Island–small, medium and large size enterprises-then we won’t know what skills they need. I want to ensure that we’re embedding those skills into the teaching and learning experience for our young people. Employers should have confidence that our future is all about preparing young people and adults for the workplace and progression in the world of work.”
Ros Parker has a wealth of experience in the further and adult education sector, most recently as Principal of Southend Adult Community College, where, in 2021, she was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for her substantial contribution to services in adult education and the community. Prior to that she was Principal of Prospects College of Advanced Technology (PROCAT) in Basildon.
