Perspectives on life and learning in further education

“Trying to balance college work with my part-time job is the hardest part. Sometimes it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to keep up with everything.”

“Going to college meant I could get hands-on with practicals, like surveying, while also discovering the commercial side of the industry that I hadn’t seen in the workplace. Every new skill has taken me a step closer to the career I want, and even now each day feels like another chance to learn something new”

“Our job is to get students ready for what’s next. That means giving them the confidence and understanding to make smart, ethical choices with AI – now, and in the future.”

“It’s important that students recognise the importance of transferable skills. In particular, ‘soft skills’ as these are the glue between qualifications and success in the working world.”

“My work placement has really opened my eyes to what the job’s actually like. It’s helped me gain real experience and feel more prepared for what comes next after college.”

“In order to guarantee that the curriculum content is directly in line with the demands of the labour market both now and in the future, vocational education will increasingly be co-designed with business partners."