Monday 8 July 2024
Building relationships with employers and improving our students’ futures.
Oliver Symons joins Moulton College this week as Principal and Chief Executive.
With more than 20 years’ experience working in the Further Education sector, Oliver already has longstanding links with Moulton thanks to his time working with Landex, the national body for land-based colleges and universities.
Now he is ready to roll up his sleeves and join the team to accelerate Moulton’s position as a respected land-based college and transform it into the UK’s leading provider of skills and training associated with the natural, built and recreational environment.
Oliver explains: “Together, in partnership with employers and stakeholders, we want to embed the delivery of high-quality vocational learning and become known as the leader for land-based education, for sport, for construction and business and build a reputation for excellence in everything we do.”
He adds: “I’m excited to be joining ‘Team Moulton’ and working alongside our talented and dedicated staff. We will continue the hard work already in place to foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity where every student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. We also plan to strengthen relationships with local employers to ensure the training we provide enhances our learners’ skillset and benefits local businesses and the community at the same time.”
One of Oliver’s key priorities is to deepen the role external stakeholders play in the curriculum Moulton College delivers. Courses encompass subjects and sectors as diverse as agriculture, animal welfare, construction and sport and include qualifications like BTECs, HTQs and T levels.
By involving the region’s businesses and stakeholders in how the curriculum is designed and delivered, Moulton College can better equip its students with the knowledge and skills required locally. Oliver adds: “Working together with stakeholders means we can ensure our curriculum is fit for purpose and right for the region, whether that’s digital knowledge, agricultural knowhow or specific construction skills. We will also continue to focus on developing soft skills like communication and time management.
I will be engaging with local businesses to showcase what we offer here at Moulton and learn more about what they are looking for from their future workforce. By encouraging employers to play an active role in the development of our curriculum and improving how and what we teach our students, Moulton College has the potential to be the very best of its kind not just locally, but nationally.
As part of his plans, Oliver is hosting a Stakeholder and Skills Celebration Event for employers this autumn to showcase the College and highlight the work ongoing via Moulton College’s Industry Skills Boards.
Oliver and his team are also actively ensuring that the skills and knowledge students learn remain relevant to the sectors they plan to work in and that their technology skills keep pace in the ever-changing digital era. Another important area of focus is sustainability, both in terms of the College’s and student’s individual impact on the environment and embedding sustainability throughout the curriculum.
What’s more, Oliver and his team will actively involve students in the College’s future to ensure they have their say in terms of learning, opportunities and facilities.
Oliver concludes: “It’s important that our students feel a part of what we are trying to achieve and join us on the journey of transformation. We want to ensure that they feel heard and included at every step but, most importantly, that while they are with us, they develop a solid foundation to rewarding futures via the range of learning opportunities we offer.”
