Moray College UHI recognised by HM Inspectorate of Education for excellent and innovative practices
The HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIe) commended Moray College UHI for illustrating excellent practice by developing relevant learning programmes to meet local market needs, and for innovative sector-leading practice to review their customer service standards.
The college received an ‘Excellent Practice’ report for their work developing the ‘Skills for Choice’, which is a bridging programme for young people from 16 to 19 years old who haven’t decided on their chosen career path. The programme provides a broad range of vocational options including Sport, Biology, Computing, Cookery, Construction and Hairdressing, giving learners a variety experiences to inform their future choices.
The programme benefits from close liaison with Skills Development Scotland Advisors in Moray’s secondary schools, which ensures pupils who would benefit from this opportunity, are referred to the programme.
To support young people through the programme, helping build their confidence and encourage general well-being, the college works in partnership with Skillforce, whose tutors have a military background and deliver activities which develop team-building and leadership skills.
Students on the ‘Skills for Choice’ programme have provided positive feedback. Graeme Anderson said, ‘Skills for Choice was a good course with lots of variety. It helped me see that college was an option and that there are lots of career directions out there.’
Alannah Russell said, ‘I really enjoyed being on the Skills for Choice course I felt that it built my confidence more.’ Calum Catto added, ‘I have found this Skills for Choice class to be very engaging and enjoyable, I have learned so much over the course and it has helped me to know what I want to do in later life.’ Calum continued, ‘I would recommend this course to anyone who is unsure what they would like to do in college or for a career.’
Tom McGarry, Assistant Principal, Moray College UHI commented, ‘The successful delivery of the ‘Skills for Choice’ programme has enabled the college to develop a raft of new sector specific ‘Steps to Work’ introductory level courses in Digital Media Computing, Engineering & Construction, Care, Hair & Beauty, Hospitality and Horticulture.
The positive feedback from both the HMIe and our students is a fantastic reward for the staff and partner organisations who worked together creating this learning opportunity.
The ‘Skills for Choice’ programme and now the ‘Steps to Work’ courses are designed to ensure young people who wish to leave school, rather than stay on to take Highers, have better access to introductory entry level courses. This programme makes the transition easier between school and moving towards either Higher Education or the workplace, by identifying the best progression route to match individual needs.’
At the end of the programme students are prepared, confident and ready to move up to the next level of learning or seek employment.
The college’s Mystery Shopper project received a ‘Sector-leading and Innovative’ practice report. The college introduced Mystery Shopper activity to monitor customer service and make improvements where necessary. Customer services standards were tested across college support work areas by e-mails, telephone calls and personal visits by making learner-related enquiries.
Feedback on the level of service received during these enquiries was reported back to college management and staff. The college’s management team believed that the college’s responses to enquiries from potential learners were already a high standard and this was confirmed by the Mystery Shopper reports. However, the reports did also illustrate areas where improvement could perhaps be found and the college has responded to this feedback by developing a new ‘one-stop’ shop support area called ‘The Hub’ to deal with learner enquiries quickly and efficiently.
The college will continue to use Mystery Shopper feedback for self-evaluation, and determining where changes may need to be made, developing efficient processes and procedures to ensure excellent customer service is achieved on a continual basis.