Doncaster Education City
Doncaster Education City (DEC) is a
concept distinctively different to any other venture, making
learning more fun. It will mean students learn different things, by
different ways, in state-of-the-art and ultra-modern
places.
The idea began in 2002 as three strategic
partners, Doncaster Metropolitan Council, South Yorkshire Learning
and Skills Council and Doncaster College joined forces to push
forward vocational education across the Borough.
Since that time the understanding of Doncaster
Education City as a concept, as well as a strong partnership, has
developed. The partnership is steadily growing in size and
influence with partners firmly believing that by working together
they can be more than the sum of the parts. In addition they are
convinced that they can make a greater impact on meeting
challenging education, training and employment targets.
The voluntary uniting of autonomous service
providers and employers, as well as learners, is clearly central to
DEC’s success. Working together partners are able to:-
- support each other to think differently and
innovatively
- harness the best of the new technologies
- work across boundaries
- share expertise, build on and disseminate
success
- jointly analyse and tackle barriers to
learning
- gain wider access to the voice of the
learner
- identify, champion and facilitate local
solutions to meet the individual needs of
the learner and the collective needs of the Borough.
DEC has developed an infrastructure to
support partnership working. This structure includes the DEC
Strategy Board, an Operational Planning Group and Area Councils.
Through these groups key priorities for action are identified and
taken forward through Task and Complete groups. The DEC Strategy
Board has also approved a DEC Strategic Plan. The Plan establishes
principles and protocols for partnership working as well as
providing a framework which will chart the progress of DEC and set
milestones on the road to agreed targets. This Plan will set the
context and conditions in which Doncaster will truly become an
“Education City”.
DEC’s mission - Transforming learning,
changing lives
All people in Doncaster will have access
to:
- a comprehensive
range of inclusive, high quality learning opportunities that meet
individual as well as Borough-wide needs and which maximise their
potential.
- Effective
guidance and support to help them make well-informed choices and to
encourage further progression and high achievement.
DEC for Business
DEC is transforming Doncaster through learning and is
uniting businesses as well as learners. World-class education and
training will be available to all, including those who may have
been discouraged from learning. This integrated approach to
learning will provide a more skilled and better trained workforce
that will, ultimatly, allow Doncaster businesses new and old to be
more competitive and productive.
Future employment will be one of the key
objectives for the students and tutors. Through the involvement of
business and private sector partners, such as yourselves, DEC will
increase student aspirations by providing clear pathways to the
availability of foundation degrees. Firms will also be able to help
develop their own courses, bespoke to their particular needs.
Employer Engagement
There are many opportunities for employers and
employees to provide/undertake further training, ranging from work
based learning to professional qualifications.
Modern apprenticeships
Developing staff through a modern
apprenticship is another option. This involves helping people learn
how to do the job, get the skills employers need, gain recognised
qualifications and get paid at the same time.
Enhanced opportunities
Many professionals maintain, update and
enhance their qualifications around their career in order to
maximise career enhancment opportunities. There are many options in
specific professions
Management Experience
For those who have management experience
looking to develop their business qualifications/skills an MBA is a
positive option to give career potential and personal development
added muscle.
Partnering with DEC
To make Doncaster Education City a success it
is critical that we are informed and supported by local businesses.
Help us by:
- Developing the curriculum – help us identify the education and
training needs of Doncaster at a local and Borough wide level.
- Joining a local area planning group or the Borough-wide
planning group to ensure you have an imput.
- Becoming a partner of DEC to raise awareness of your business
by linking brand with DEC
- Developing your own education ‘Gateway’ – we will assist in
developing your own professional on site training suite if you meet
the criteria.
For more information about DEC, call
01302 341 000 or visit www.doncastereducationcity.org