A COLLEGE is increasing its adult learning provision to support people into employment, further education and professional development as they cope with changes to the workforce as a result of the pandemic.

Darlington College's employability service, which had been run by an outside company which has gone into administration, has been taken over by an in-house team to create DC Works.

The 10-person team offers a diverse range of learner-centred courses, and has industry relationships to support people enrolled on its courses.

There has been an increase in demand for its services, with upward of 100 new learners a month signing up for an array of courses/workshops.

Manager Sharon Shiels says the uncertainty of the pandemic is making people think again about their careers, with some workers dealing with issues like furlough and redundancy.

She said: "In these uncertain times our aim is to help everyone reassess their lives and offer them the opportunity to gain and hone the skills they need to move forward.

“At one end of the spectrum, this could be help with interview techniques and boosting their CVs, or to sign-post them elsewhere in the college to high level qualifications. It’s about upskilling people and in many cases leading them down a different career path."

Senior engagement co-ordinator Patrick Robinson, who is also manager of Billingham Town Football Club, likened the current situation to the world of football, which he has been involved with since his teenage years.

He said: "Research shows an average player/manager’s life-cycle at a club is around two years/

“Players tend to question whether they are being valued, whether they want more from the game or want something new.

"In my case I had to think again when an injury ended my playing career at 19. But the changing world around Covid has made this more applicable to everyone rather than just the world of sport, and the research echoes this too.

“Covid has sped this up for all employees. People are losing what they thought were jobs for life.

"Our role is to help them choose what to do next, whether that is identifying transferable skills, boosting qualifications or helping them start their own business.

"We draw from them why they want a change and then we help them aspire to achieve it.

"The support we offer as DC Works is transformational and very holistic.”

Ms Shiels added: “We are discovering that many people are anxious with the uncertainty, or being made redundant and this pandemic has provided the impetus to launch their own ventures. People really are starting to think ‘what can I do now’.

“We have worked extremely hard to understand the needs of the region, sector opportunities and skills that are required by employers.

"We have listened, adapted and advanced it to allow us to have a major impact on people’s lives. We can help so many people in so many ways.”

For more information about opportunities visit www.darlington.ac.uk.