Mark chats to Polly Harrow

The demand from construction businesses for new people to join the sector in the medium to long term is significant.  CITB advise that hundreds of thousands will be needed to service the UK’s largest industry, particularly with the transition to net-zero.  The vast majority of these recruits will be direct entry from our education system.  Polly Harrow is the Student Support Champion for the FE Sector, appointed by Government to provide the student perspective.  Her remit is the same as all employers; how to get the best from students as they join their employers.

Polly talks about the increasing gulf between education and employment, created on one hand by technology and the drive to de-personalise processed in the name of efficiency and the trauma that many students have experienced due to covid and increasing social issues.  She talks to the challenges that students can face transitioning to employment and the need for employers to re-engage with educators to secure both their short term investment in skills and staff and their long-term sustainability.

Polly’s “call to arms” should chime with all who are responsible for recruitment, or the going concern of their businesses.  She asks that employers recognise the value of their local FE Colleges; she asks employers to recognise the damage that casual sexist, racist or de-humanising banter can cause and to be proactive in stamping it out at all levels within business and she points out that employers need to invest in their raw talent and not to give up at the first hurdle that the college or the student may trip over.  Polly points out that strong communities support each other and that employers who support colleges and their students and colleges that support their employers will build strong communities where students provide exceptional support and growth to their employers.