Employer Thank You: Common Leys hosts ‘thank you’ lunch for local employers

It is no secret that a crucial part of our success as a college, is our network of local businesses and employers who support us day-in-and-out to provide the best quality education for our full-time students and apprentices.

Their support is often endless, and a true credit to our college as we prepare our students to achieve the extraordinary. From helping to design our curriculum and ensuring it best equips our students to succeed; to offering our students work experience and industry placements, and welcoming our students into their team as apprentices - there are plenty of ways employers both big and small shape our provision of education.

This September, ahead of the new academic year starting, Coral Ward, Head of Land Based Industries, hosted a ‘thank you’ lunch welcoming local employers onto our Common Leys Farm Campus. Local businesses representing the equine, animal care, and agricultural sectors met with College Staff for a celebratory reflection of the year that’s just passed.

“Thank you to all of you who took a student on placement, the came back so different after being with you, the improvements were unbelievable, as always.” – Coral Ward | Head of Land Based Industries

During the lunch, employers gave feedback on their experience. From taking students on for work experience, giving guest lecturers, and hosting trips and visits for students and staff at their site. The lunch enabled our team to hear what worked well and learn what could be done differently as we prepare for the upcoming academic year - with a focus on providing the best for our students.

“The placements help the students to really understand what the various careers and opportunities are in the equine industry. They come in with one idea about what they want to do and maybe go out with another!” – Ian Vanderburg | Hartsop Farm, Ramsden

“Clear communication with the College ensured we were able to put the right support in place for students with additional support needs to ensure they could get the best out of their placement.” – Helen Hitchman | Cotswold Wildlife Park

Sam Bagnall from 4 Paws Pet Hotel, employer of a College Alumni at their boarding kennels shared: “We’ve had a really positive experience working with the College.”

To welcome the new year, employers also had the opportunity to get support from the College and hear what is new. Katie Shurey, T-Level Industry Placement Coordinator, gave a presentation on the upcoming changes regarding the Animal Care T Level, and the upcoming changes to content and approach with the new qualification; and Coral discussed the College’s continuing approach to giving students as many real-life scenarios as possible to prepare them for their placement, including the development of the College’s farm shop where students directly interact with the public, honing their communication and customer service skills.

Thank you to all of our brilliant employers who support the work that we do both at the Farm and across our campuses. We hope all who attended enjoyed and learnt something valuable about the new year.

If you would like to find out more about supporting the students at our College, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact our apprenticeship team or send us an email to our general enquiries.