We were honoured to invite Savanah Marshall, a former HCFE Student and now a Professional Boxer, fresh from her second fight (and win) as a professional in London at the weekend, to open a new space at the College to support learners across Hartlepool with their career options dubbed the ‘FutureMe Zone’ a modern, open space giving anyone seeking careers information advice or guidance access to specialist staff in careers advice, courses, higher education admissions, apprenticeship vacancies and access to full and part-time jobs.
Mark Lee, Head of Student Recruitment and CEIAG at the college discussed the reasons for developing the space:
“We’ve seen many careers services reduced across the UK and a national focus on moving advice to online platforms. However, young people aren’t engaging with careers content online or via telephone. What works is good old-fashioned face-to-face personalised support, using technology to enhance not deliver. Because of this, we created the zone to feel modern and accessible but to also host professional college, Job Centre and local university staff. You can see today we have a range of providers present to view the lounge and there are VR systems where learners can try a job, iPads with vacancies available and we’ve also got a map of where all of our previous students have gone on to Higher Education in the UK. We’re delighted to have worked in partnership with the North East Collaborative Outreach Programme (NECOP) to secure the funding to create a space that will benefit young people in both the short and long-term. NECOP is the regional arm of NCOP which aims to raise awareness of higher opportunities for learners and here at Hartlepool College we’re all about excellence in Further and Higher Education and are recognised by Ofsted as having outstanding student support. This space gives us a platform to enhance that delivery in a modern way.”
As well as being inundated with selfie requests from students an staff, the College had a surprise for Savannah, as she is an inspiration to many here at the College, we have a framed picture of her Team GB Olympic shorts and top on displayed on the wall in the new space, Local Universities: Teesside, Sunderland and Northumbria were also in attendance to give students advice on Higher Education opportunities and career paths. The 'Future Me Zone' will be open from 1pm - 4pm Monday to Friday for anyone wanting information on Higher Education and advice on careers. More information on 'Future Me' and NECOP >> https://futureme.ac.uk
