Southwark College joined the fifth Colleges Week, organised by the Association of Colleges (AoC), to shine a light on all the impactful work that colleges do to build communities, boost businesses, and support individuals to be equipped with the skills they need to achieve their career ambitions. This year's celebration focused on staff, students and skills. During the week, staff and students participated in various activities to support the AoC's 'Love Our Colleges' campaign, including a live dance performance choreographed by dance students inspired by Black Culture.
The College also opened its doors to the local community to help young people and adults in the London Borough of Southwark and surrounding areas to find out more about post-16 education and training options, as well as employability courses to support job seekers to get back into the workforce.
Former Access to Health and Social Care student, Valeri Sosso Mouhoulle, has seen the benefit of colleges first-hand. After starting her course, Valerie was offered a promotion in Data Management at her workplace at Great Ormond Street Hospital and secured a place to study nursing at university.
She said: "The course was challenging and helped me develop research skills and become more aware of health and social care issues in the UK and familiarise myself with how the system works. Alongside my studies, I worked as a Medical Secretary in the NHS at Great Ormond Street Hospital. They saw my potential when I told the management team I was studying for my course, and they encouraged me to apply for a Data Management position, which I successfully secured.
"Studying at Southwark College was a great experience for me. The tutors were supportive and motivated me to achieve my goals. They helped me secure a place at university and prepare me for my future career." Colleges Week took place from Monday 17 October to Friday 21 October 2022. It celebrated the brilliant work colleges do to build communities, boost businesses and support individuals to gain the necessary skills for their chosen career fields and improve opportunities and job prospects.
