University College Isle of Man (UCM) has welcomed representatives from across the Childcare sector at an event focussing on future skills training.
The University College welcomed a number of professionals spanning the local childcare industry who met with the UCM Principal, Head of Faculty for the Wellbeing faculty at UCM, the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, Julie Edge MHK, the Department’s Chief Officer and the Head of the Registration and Inspection Team, to consult on the provision of training to support the sector.
Throughout the session, professionals from the industry had the opportunity to share their views on the training required in the short term and the skills they may require within the next few years. During the session the professionals were consulted on modes of study, whether that be full time courses aimed at younger people, upskilling courses for adults who may want to move into the sector or apprenticeships to enable people to learn and earn.
UCM have been running courses in childcare for decades and is always reviewing the curriculum and ways of studying to ensure it meets the needs of both employers and students on the Island.
UCM’s Principal, Jesamine Kelly commented: ‘Whilst we have offered courses in childcare at UCM for many years, we appreciate the need to constantly develop to meet the needs of the industry which is why sessions like this are so important. This session is part of a series of events we have been holding with different sectors across the Island. UCM will continue to engage with local businesses regularly to ensure we have a continuous dialogue.
‘We were saddened to hear of the closure of Isle Learn but we would like to reassure the industry, their customers and the people who are interested in working in this rewarding sector that the education and training required is still available, and we will continue to develop this to meet the changing needs of the sector.’