Southwark College was thrilled to host a successful Stakeholder Dinner, bringing together a diverse group of key stakeholders to discuss vital issues impacting education and the local community landscape.
The event was attended by influential figures in the community from the government and education sectors, including Liz Bromley, CEO of NCG, and Cllr Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader of Southwark Council, Cabinet Member for Children, Education, and Refugees. Also in attendance were Cllr John Batteson, Southwark Council Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs & Business, Jo Young, and Diana Barranco, Community Director for Elephant and Castle Town Centre and members of the College’s Board, including Andrew Young, COO of the London School of Economics, and Roderick Lynch, Chairman of the Southwark Chamber of Commerce.
We were also pleased to welcome a variety of participants from the business community, such as Katie Matthews, Director of Communications and Engagement for Better Bankside, Noc Durston, CEO of Southbank Employers Group, and Katie Poulter, Chief Executive of We Are Waterloo. Representatives from Southwark Adult Education Services, London South Bank Technical College, and the Southwark Construction Skills Centre, including Cathy Xuereb, Wayne Wright, and Jon Howlin, also joined the discussions.
The event provided networking opportunities alongside thoughtful discussions around the most pressing issues facing our community and the education sector. The following key topics were addressed:
Maximising Southwark College Networks: The group explored how the College can maximise our partnerships to open doors for students and ensure they have access to the best opportunities to succeed in their careers.
The Green Economy: Discussions focused on aligning Southwark College’s initiatives with sustainability efforts to contribute to the broader green economy and ensure that students are equipped to participate in this exciting sector.
Equipping Students for Employment: The importance of preparing students with the skills and behaviours that employers demand was a key topic, focusing on ways to enhance our curriculum and training programmes to ensure that our students are industry-ready.
Staff Wellbeing: A thriving staff community is crucial to the success of the College. Attendees examined strategies for fostering a supportive and empowering environment for our staff to ensure they continue to provide high-quality education and support to our students.
Addressing Local Strategic Demands: The importance of Southwark College was discussed, with a focus on aligning college priorities with those of the Greater London Authority, the Central London Forward Skills Improvement Plan, and Southwark Council's Strategic Plan.
We are excited to continue conversations with our stakeholders and partners as we work towards the next stages of Southwark College’s Strategic Plan. We look forward to sharing the progression of this plan in the upcoming summer term and continuing our commitment to providing high-quality education that meets the needs of our students and the community.
Thank you to the guests who attended the dinner and contributed their valuable insights and ideas. We look forward to the continued collaboration and positive impact these partnerships will have on our College and the future of our students.
The College also recently launched our Stakeholder Advisory Forums to continue to help create pathways to employment while also responding to the evolving needs of the local community and employers. For more information or to get involved, please visit southwark.ac.uk/employers
