Background

City College Norwich (CCN) is one of the largest colleges of further and higher education in the UK offering a comprehensive  range of courses from Foundation Studies and Entry Level to Post-Graduate and Professional qualifications, for young people, adults and employers.

The college has a strong commitment to lifelong learning and the promotion of learning within the community.

Problem

Working with local employers, CCN has been actively ensuring that the education talks directly to employers.  One of the college's main priorities has been to establish a curriculum that develops the knowledge, skills and understanding needed by employers. 

CCN decided to explore the possibility of becoming an awarding body as this accreditation  gives the college the ability to develop and offer nationally accredited qualifications specifically designed to meet the needs of it's students and local businesses.  The awarding body status means that CCN, can work with local employers to develop accredited courses that give credit to high quality in-house staff training. 

City College Norwich is the first provider to be accredited as an awarding body.  It is hoped over time that the accreditation of providers such as CCN will ensure the development of courses that are located in the concerns of the local community and have a greater relevance to students. Colleges working  closely with employers to develop qualifications on their behalf helps the provider  gain a greater understanding of workforce needs.  This close working relationship between employer and college ensures that students gain a valuable insights into the world of work during their studies.

Process

One of the pilot qualifications being explored by CCN is the development of an induction programme for new recruits to the financial services sector in Norwich.  Marsh, Norwich Union and Swiss Re are among the organisations contributing to the programme's development and it is hoped that other organisations, particularly small businesses, will get involved. 

The course is expected to take place over a number of days at the City College Norwich's National Skills Academy (NSA) and will include a range of units relevant to the participating organisations including an introduction to financial services, business communications, team building and managing development - all key issues affecting the financial services companies locally.

It is proposed that the course is accredited within the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), with the possibility of the programme being counted towards a full qualification in the long term. 

The induction programme is one of many courses being explored by CCN and local employers that are expected to be available to learners in the future.

Quote

Dick Palmer, Principal at City College Norwich, said:

'The granting of Awarding Body Status to City College Norwich is a critical further step in the College's work aimed at developing an employer led curriculum. By working with employers in the accreditation of their own in-house training provision we not only help their employees get the qualifications they deserve for undertaking that training but also we, the College, gain an invaluable insight into the sorts of needs employers have of their workforce. That, in turn, allows my college to better prepare my students for the real world of work and gives employers better future employees. A real virtuous circle.'