EMPLOYABILITY, independence and opportunity were the buzzwords as New College Worcester welcomed an important visitor.
The specialist residential college for young people who are blind or vision impaired welcomed Dame Harriet Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, for a visit on Friday June 5.
During the visit, Dame Harriet met with students, staff and employer partners to learn more about the college’s work in preparing students for independent living, further education and future employment.
The afternoon began with a discussion highlighting NCW’s successes, as well as the challenges facing specialist education, particularly in relation to funding.
A key part of the visit was an employability panel, where students spoke about their experiences of work placements and preparing for their futures. Students Ghaalib, Dominic, Dylan and Toby shared their aspirations, as well as the importance of gaining real-world experience.
Following the panel, Dame Harriet toured Vinchel Lodge, NCW’s recently refurbished Sixth Form accommodation. Here, staff demonstrated the essential role of habilitation in helping students develop the skills and confidence needed for adult life. During the visit, Dame Harriet met with sixth form student Casey, who spoke about enjoying life at NCW and making the most of the wide range of opportunities and activities available.
The visit highlighted the importance of specialist education in supporting young people with vision impairment to achieve their ambitions, develop independence and transition successfully into further education, employment or training.
Rachel Perks, principal at New College Worcester, said: “We were delighted to welcome Dame Harriet Baldwin to NCW and to showcase the incredible work of our students and staff. It was a valuable opportunity to discuss how education, technology and employability come together to ensure our students can thrive and succeed in the world of work and beyond.”
