Croydon College’s Principal and CEO Caireen Mitchell joined a debate on the next steps for Croydon’s skills sector at the virtual Develop Croydon Conference
Delegates at the conference heard how partnership working across education providers, employers and local authorities was creating a ‘melting-pot’ of career pathways which would meet both the needs of the economy and the demands of students seeking routes to long-term employment.
Chaired by Mark Easton, Home Editor of BBC News, the discussion featured Caireen Mitchell, CEO and Principal, Croydon College, Michael Simmons, Group Director of Corporate Affairs, London South Bank University, Councillor Alisa Flemming, Croydon Council’s Cabinet member for Children, Young People and Learning and Professor Jean-Noel Ezingeard, Vice-Chancellor, University of Roehampton.
Caireen Mitchell told the conference she had been ‘excited’ by the huge surge in the numbers of students wanting to study at Croydon College.
“People are investing in their future despite everything that is going on in wider society and numbers are continuing to flow. Even as unemployment rises, people are looking for a brighter future by investing in their education. It is really exciting.”
Caireen explained the college had expanded its course offer and developed a partnership with the University of Roehampton which would enable it to increase and improve its offer.
“We are working really hard to make sure our curriculum meets the needs of economy and that means far more quality dialogue with employers about how we can meet all their workplace needs in the future. It’s about higher education working hand in hand to meet their skills needs so all these individuals in Croydon who need pathways straight into employment can find employment to the benefit of our Croydon community, our residents and our employers.”
You can watch the full video below.
