I have had such good fortune to work across the UK Further Education Sector for the last 20 years or so. I really feel so lucky that I get to work with fantastic colleges and training providers, as well as combining this with other work I also have in the private sector.

So before the end of this year’s #CollegesWeek I just wanted to say it never ceases to amaze me how much amazing, unheralded work goes on both in teaching and learning and across the support functions such as marketing, accounts, student services, counselling, facilities, partnerships & more.

And I wanted to say a massive THANK YOU for all the staff who work in our colleges and training providers here in the UK, for all that you do.

Working in Education – How it started

My love affair with FE started when my mum took a ‘Springboard’ course for women at our local college, when I was growing up.

She had spent years as a very talented chef and hotel manager, but she was working so exceptionally hard and such long hours, it must have been so tough with 5 children in tow. She went on to gain a first class honours degree at University in Business and went into a ‘second’ career spanning health & safety, quality and facilities management.

Then, in 2001, my deep immersion in FE began, as Communications Manager for funding body, the Learning and Skills Council in Shropshire. I worked with all the colleges in the area on initiatives to increase take up of apprenticeships, vocational courses, adult learning and ‘bite size’ courses.

From there I went into an inhouse role at Newcastle-under-Lyme College where I really saw firsthand every day the transformational impact that colleges have and the utter brilliance of those employed in them.

The graft and passion that goes into that, from every member of staff, all of whom are motivated by the impact they can have on the confidence, prospects, career and life of their students.

Since then I have worked with around 15 colleges across the country and it has been my absolute pleasure to work with so many colleagues and interview so many students to see what is possible when people have the chance to find their purpose, passion and calling through education.

I will never tire of banging the drum for the amazing work of this important sector and everyone in it …

Who despite all the political mayhem, all the initiatives, all the funding changes sometimes with a lack of regard for just how much colleges KNOW about what their community needs from it ‘on the ground,’ just keep going.

As a parent I value the role that colleges play even more, as I see glimpses of what my children or their peers go through in a primary and secondary system that simply doesn’t have scope to value their diversity of talent and learning needs, and so often sees people leaving school feeling they weren’t good enough.

This is why, as well as working in the private sector, I continue to look at how I can use my skills and experience to help retain and develop those staff, continue to impact the experience of so many learners, and continue to do all I can to help raise awareness of further education as a fantastic route for every young person, every family, and every employer.

I’m open to any and all conversations about how I can bring my coaching skills & passion to support learners & staff, always!

Read more about our Rebel Leaders coaching, team development and organisational development in the Education Sector

Read more about our marketing leaders coaching programme and Digital Marketing Institute courses for FE Marketing teams here

Come along to the College Marketing Network’s Annual Conference and see my talk about achieving impact and influence