Employers

The College’s Skills for Life courses are proving to be a recipe for success . . .

Kitchen staff at Birmingham University are celebrating their recent literacy achievements after undertaking a range of the College’s Skills for Life courses.

The short programmes offer adults aged 16 and over the chance to develop the skills used in everyday life such as reading, writing and maths with the chance to gain an up to date qualification.

Kevin Box, Catering Chef at the University, is one employee to complete a course and has proved to be as passionate about food as he is about brushing up on his skills: “Sometimes there’s a stigma attached to adults doing a literacy course, but I’ve never felt embarrassed while undertaking the course.

“I’ve really enjoyed learning and the training provided is brilliant. I can’t believe how much it has helped me.”

Sue Simpson Training and Development Manager at Birmingham University is thrilled with the impact the courses are having on staff:

“I’m delighted with the progress that the team has made. We seem, at last, to have broken the stigma surrounding literacy training and we have more staff volunteering for support in this area.

Literacy training not only supports our staff member’s development at work but also supports their life well-being.”

Since completing the Skills for Life Courses, most of the group are now working towards higher qualifications through the College including NVQs in Customer Service and Retail.