West Cheshire College principal Sara Mogel says education needs to change to fill North West skills gap

Jul 28 2011 by Allison Dickinson, Chester Chronicle

West Cheshire College principal Sara Mogel says education needs to change to fill North West skills gap

THE perception of vocational education needs to change if the skills gap in Cheshire is to be filled, says West Cheshire College principal Sara Mogel.

The college has undergone a £65m redevelopment and works closely with employers to offer courses that will produce students who are work-ready.

“There’s a perception that people who come here are just faffing around, but that perception is changing,” said Sara.

“Now we are one of the places that people want to be and we are becoming a first choice, not a second choice. I also think more and more people are interested in whether or not they will get a job and a lot of this is to do with the recession.

“People talk about doing a course but actually it is a means to an end. The end is getting the job you want.”

Sara thinks that the hike in tuition fees will encourage many students to shun the university route in favour of work-based learning.

She said: “It’s quite interesting that we are obsessed with A-levels and university as a nation, but academic courses don’t necessarily make you employable.

“Engineering, computing and care in particular are all experiencing a skills gap.

“Employers are looking for skills that come out of vocational training and I think more students will look at these courses as a more cost-effective route.

“It’s not £27,000, which is what a degree would cost you – and it is more likely to result in a job.

“A lot of our students leave with skills that can either lead to employment or, in some cases, start their own business.

“It’s the education that’s important – not how you do it.”

Apprenticeships have also become more popular with employers and Sara praised some of the ‘top notch’ apprenticeship schemes in the area.

She explained: “Vauxhall is a classic example, really good, and a lot of the hospitality and multimedia apprenticeships are also great. The driving force comes from the employers.

“There have been a lot of misunderstandings about some industries. In this area, for example, hospitality and catering is a really good idea – but it’s sold as the sort of thing you might do if you are desperate.”

Science and technology training started at the new Chester campus in March and creative and service industry courses at the new Ellesmere Port campus start in September.