Chesterfield College gives graduates an insight into a teaching career in further education

Chesterfield College has welcomed a new cohort of graduates and undergraduates to give them a unique insight into a teaching career as part of the Education and Training Foundation’s programme, Talent to Teach.
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Becoming a provider of Talent to Teach programme has given Chesterfield College the opportunity to nurture talent, while allowing the team to share their passion for role they play in their community.

It is the second year the college has been part of the programme.

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The first intake of students – who took part before the pandemic – worked in the classroom while the new intake has been experiencing teaching online and working with college staff virtually.

Some of the The Talent to Teach participants with Jo Kershaw and Lindsey Wilson from Chesterfield CollegeSome of the The Talent to Teach participants with Jo Kershaw and Lindsey Wilson from Chesterfield College
Some of the The Talent to Teach participants with Jo Kershaw and Lindsey Wilson from Chesterfield College

Jo Kershaw, Director of Business Professional and Service Industries, who manages the Talent to Teach programme at Chesterfield College said: “Like many other colleges up and down the country, Chesterfield College wants to attract the very best talent to pass on their knowledge and expertise to students and apprentices.

"The Talent to Teach programme gives us the chance to highlight the benefits of a career in further education. It also helps graduates to understand that their knowledge and skills are in demand in the sector.

“For too long further education has been overlooked by many who might have a desire to teach. It has been fascinating to see the participants on this programme discover the possibilities open to them in colleges and we have seen our staff develop their mentoring skills too.”

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The Talent to Teach programme was mentioned in the government’s recent Skills for Jobs white paper as an important initiative which will help tackle the growing recruitment problem in the further education sector.

During the programme the participants work alongside, and are mentored by, college staff as they take part in a range of activities to give them an insight into the breadth and scope of teaching in further education.

Sanaa Khalifa, a second year economics student, said: “There are so many jobs and careers out there and you don’t know what to do unless you experience it first-hand which is why I wanted to take part in Talent to Teach.

"Now I am doing it, I do see myself in a teaching career in FE as opposed to working in business. It really has changed my outlook.”

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