Talent United is Barnsley College’s employer engagement programme, which aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by providing its students with employer-led and employer-based opportunities.
Despite the pandemic, Talent United was busier than ever in 2021 organising guest speaker sessions, workplace tours and placements. The College’s team were in regular contact with local business partners by offering networking opportunities and masterclasses, providing students and employees with new and exciting skills.
Talent United successfully recruited 53 partners in 2021, taking the total number to 220. Many of the partners participated in an Industry Week; a series of events that enabled students to find out about different types of job roles, how to achieve their career goals and get ahead in the world of work through speaking with established professionals.
Last year, the College delivered several Industry Weeks which covered topics including Animal and Land Management, Creative, Construction, Digital, Engineering, Global Entrepreneurship and Travel and Tourism.
In the past 12 months over 50 speakers have signed up to deliver talks to students during College’s Industry Weeks. The team were proud to have speakers who were able to deliver talks both in-person and virtually online. Talent United’s guest speakers have provided presentations and workshops, work placements and workplace tours.
In return, they have enjoyed exclusive benefits and discounts including events and networking sessions, free and discounted training courses and promotional opportunities.
One of Talent United’s finest achievements last year was a visit from Peter Holmes, Editor of Barnsley Today and Around Birdwell, two magazines covering the local area with a combined circulation of 19,500 per month. After his talk, several students contacted him with ideas that would benefit his magazine, as well as those who wanted to have the opportunity to write pieces for Barnsley Today. Since then, two students have had paid work published in Barnsley Today and Around Birdwell and a further two students were given the chance to write for Peter’s publications.
For 2022, Talent United has a lot to look forward to such as Pride Week, Crime and Justice Week, and Culture Week. During Pride Week, Stephanie Hirst, broadcaster, DJ, public speaker and well-known advocate for the transgender community, will be a guest speaker. During Crime and Justice Week, Paul Hannaford will be welcomed as a guest speaker.
Paul has built a successful career educating over 400,000 school children about the dangers of addiction, drugs, and alcohol. Culture Week will present virtual museum tours around the world and provide informative talks from Adam Smith, part of the Real Junk Food Project and Musharaf Asghar, a keynote speaker and journalist first recognised from Channel 4’s Educating Yorkshire.
If you are interested in becoming a Talent United partner, or would like to find out more about the programme, visit www.barnsley.ac.uk/talent-united or email enterprise@barnsley.ac.uk.
If you would like to boost your workforce’s potential, you can find out more about College’s adult and part-time courses by visiting www.barnsley.ac.uk/adult-and-part-time. Alternatively, visit www.barnsley.ac.uk/employers to find out about industry placements, apprenticeships and training programmes, specifically for those in employment.
