FutureSPARK academy, a partnership between TechSPARK and Bath College, launched this month to a keen audience of tech, digital and creative companies interested in helping build a new talent pipeline in the South West.
“Bath College is lucky enough to be based in one of the UK’s biggest and most exciting hotspots for creative and digital technology, and our students are part of the next generation who will shape and grow this industry”
The FutureSPARK Academy wants to draw on the talent available in Bath College by asking local companies to ‘adopt’ the brightest and best students, and help nurture their talent. The students would be with them for 2 to 3 days for an average of three months, but the college is very open to discussing shorter, one-off periods if a student could, for example, help with a particular up-coming project.
As Amy Patterson, Employability Advisor – Digital and Creative Tech at Bath College, explains, “Bath College is lucky enough to be based in one of the UK’s biggest and most exciting hotspots for creative and digital technology, and our students are part of the next generation who will shape and grow this industry. The industry is growing at a rapid rate, and the skills shortage is only going to get bigger. Our students have great ambition and are excited to get into the world of tech, many of them already finding their own way.”
Great to see so many employers in our Futures Hub this morning to hear about our #FutureSPARK academy @bathcollege pic.twitter.com/gWj9w9tmiu
— Bath College Futures (@BathCollFutures) October 6, 2015
If you are interested the college is keen to have discussions to make the work placement fit around how you prefer to work. Amy says the college can be very flexible to suit a company’s needs: “We understand it’s impossible to prescribe a one size fits all model. We only ask that they ‘adopt’ one of our students into their organisation, and work with them on a project they can take away with them and potentially use towards their course credits. This could be an intensive few weeks, a one or two day per week arrangement, or any other that suits the company.
“We are hoping that the better the student gets to know the company and the longer they work together, the more opportunities may be found for collaboration, with students representing companies at events and participating on client facing projects.”
“By taking a student into their company, employers get a great ‘first look’ at this next generation and potentially meet a star of their future”
In return, as Amy points out, “By taking a student into their company, teaching them industry expertise and helping them to develop essential work skills, employers get a great ‘first look’ at this next generation and potentially meet a star of their future.”
Great morning with @TechSPARKuk at @BathCollege learning about #FutureSPARK. Can't wait to get involved! pic.twitter.com/m7u9GWCVwY
— Memberoo (@memberoohq) October 6, 2015
There is also minimal cost to the company: “We understand that agreeing to take on a student is costly in terms of time and organisation,” says Amy, “particularly in the early stages, and we appreciate this. Therefore there is no obligation for the companies to pay their placement students. The students will be with companies on a voluntary basis. There will be the option for employers to contribute towards travel expenses if they wish.”
Also available to participants is use of the ‘Futures Hub’, a co-working space at Bath College (pictured above).
A very exciting morning spent at @BathCollege @BathCollFutures with @TechSPARKuk for the launch of #FutureSPARK! — Cloud Heroes (@CloudHeroesUK) October 6, 2015
The mood in the room was very encouraging, as the organisers behind FutureSPARK Academy spelled out it would only provide the highest calibre of student. Amy explains: “Only students who have already proven their commitment to their existing course and enrichment activities will be offered the chance to be a member of the academy. The students are high achievers from our Level 3 (equivalent to A Level), HNC and Foundation Degree course, and those we are confident are able to complete their college work alongside their placement.
“Many of them are already developing their own tech ideas and ambitions. These students will be successful in their field; this will be a chance for companies to find them early.”
Really great pitch from @MattAtkinson1 for the launch of #futurespark academy. Surprised and impressed.
— Jamie Ridyard (@JamieRidyard) October 6, 2015
It’s an exciting project, and one that should benefit both student and local businesses, so we wondered what the long-term aim of the FutureSPARK Academy will be. “It would be fantastic if we saw some of these placements develop into apprenticeships or full time roles for our students,” says Amy, “this is the main ambition for the first year. Even those who don’t secure jobs with companies will leave far more prepared for the workplace than we could have achieved in the classroom.
“Long term we see this as a pre-employment programme bridging the gap between the college course and the workplace. Working closely with employers’ needs during this development time will enable us to build a template that we can improve on and apply again, bigger, next year.”
If this sounds like something your company would be keen to get involved in, please get in touch with Amy on 07811 980581 or at amy.patterson@bathcollege.ac.uk.
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