Developing a Curriculum – that meets the needs of employers and addresses the emerging priority of Skills England
Designing a post-16 curriculum, often referred to as a curriculum offer or programme, involves crafting a structured educational experience that prepares learners for employment, new skill development, vocational training and or higher education.
Key to the development of a curriculum offer is the positive collaboration with employers and the endorsement of the curriculum by the employers.
The employer involving is crucial to a successful curriculum successful bids and successful Ofsted Inspection outcomes.
Developing a curriculum in collaboration with employers is a mandatory requirement of all skills bootcamp provision to ensure that educational programmes are aligned with industry needs and that learners are prepared for the workforce and a significant requirement of the tender. Below is a step-by-step guide on how we develop such a curriculum and identified key milestones that will be covered:
Initial Planning and Stakeholder Engagement
Identifying Key Stakeholders: Including representatives from the educational institution (faculty, administrators), industry partners (employers, industry associations),
Define Objectives: Determining want we need to achieve with the curriculum. Common goals include aligning with industry standards, improving employability of graduates, and ensuring up-to-date skills and knowledge.
Set up a Steering Committee: Forming a committee that includes representatives from both the educational institution and employers. This committee will oversee the curriculum development process.
Needs Assessment
Conduct Industry Research: Gathering data on current industry trends, future job market predictions, and the specific skills that are in demand.
Employer Surveys and Interviews: Directly engaging with employers to understand their needs, including technical skills, soft skills, and any certifications that are valuable.
Analyse Job Postings: Reviewing job listings in the relevant field to identify the most frequently requested qualifications and skills.
Curriculum Design
Define Learning Outcomes: Based on the needs assessment, we will outline the specific learning outcomes students should achieve. These outcomes will align with the skills and knowledge that employers require.
Course Structure: Develop a course structure that logically progresses from foundational to advanced topics. Ensuring that courses are sequenced in a way that builds on previous knowledge and skills.
Integrate Practical Experience: Incorporate project-based learning to provide learners with hands-on experience. Employers can help design these experiences to ensure they are relevant to real-world work.
Include Soft Skills: Employers often emphasise the importance of soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These should be embedded in the curriculum, possibly through group projects, presentations, and case studies. This is also a mandatory requirement of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework.
Curriculum Validation
Employer Feedback: Present the draft curriculum to the employers for feedback. Ensure that it meets their expectations and addresses the skills gaps they identified.
Pilot Testing: Consider running a pilot of the curriculum with a small group of students. Monitor their progress and solicit feedback from both students and participating employers.
Accreditation and Certification: Ensure that the curriculum meets any necessary accreditation standards or includes industry-recognised certifications if relevant.
Implementation
Staff toolkit and coaching: Provide coaching delivery staff to ensure they are prepared to teach the new curriculum and understand the industry context.
Resource Allocation: Ensure the necessary resources are in place to deliver the curriculum effectively.
Ongoing Review and Adaptation
Continuous Feedback Loop: Establishing a system for ongoing feedback from employers, learners, and staff. This ensures the curriculum remains relevant and up-to-date with industry changes.
Curriculum Updates: Regularly review and update the curriculum based on feedback and new developments in the industry. Holding annual meetings with the steering committee to discuss potential adjustments.
Showcasing Success
Case Studies and Testimonials: Highlight successful case studies where graduates have excelled in their careers due to the curriculum. Use testimonials from employers to demonstrate the value of the programme.
Industry Partnerships: Strengthen relationships with employers by offering opportunities for them to engage with learners, such as guest lectures, mentoring, and employment fairs.
Conclusion
By developing a curriculum with the active participation of employers, we will create a curriculum offer and programmes that is not only academically rigorous but also highly relevant to the job market. This approach enhances the employability of graduates and strengthens the connection between education and industry.