OHP funds DEC teaching post
From September, students in Jersey will be able to study for an A-Level and BTEC-equivalent qualification in digital engineering. This follows an agreement between Skills Jersey and the design and delivery partner for Our Hospital Project (OHP), RokFCC JV and it's team of consultants.
RokFCC JV, who were appointed in June 2020, will fund the recruitment of a qualified teacher to deliver the Design, Engineer, Construct! (DEC) Level 3 programme to students at both Highlands College and Hautlieu School.
Students studying the two-year course will combine academic study and time with professionals from industry partners. The course will be available to students at Highlands College or Hautlieu either as part of a vocational programme or alongside two or three other A-Level courses.
The DEC! programme is a partnership between Skills Jersey and the Jersey Construction Council, which aims to help students develop the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) skills needed to pursue a range of careers, including construction, engineering, architecture, quantity surveying and facilities management.
Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Jeremy Maçon, said: “I’d like to thank RokFCC JV and their project partners for this funding, as well as the team at Skills Jersey who have collaborated to deliver this Level 3 course to our island students.“Many students may feel they want to pursue a vocational education, rather than the traditional academic routes. But they may not be aware of the different careers that are available to them. Introducing DEC Level 3 will allow more students to pursue fulfilling careers and provide much-need skills in Jersey’s economy.”
Deputy Chief Minister and Chair of OHP's Oversight Group, Senator Lyndon Farnham, said: “This is welcome news for skills and career development and creates valuable opportunities for Islanders. It also demonstrates the important social and educational value of the Our Hospital project.”
Richard De Gruchy, Director at RokFCC JV, said: “Ensuring that the Our Hospital Project provides a legacy for education and training was one of the key commitments in our bid. We’re producing an asset for the Island’s future, and we want to ensure that we are also investing in the future of young people, and the industry.
“Over the next four to five years we’ll be offering opportunities to students across the Island - from early years through to graduation - to be involved with the Our Hospital Project. By funding the first teaching of the Level 3 DEC qualification in Jersey, we aim to support the career opportunities in the built environment for the next generation on island.”
Dave Roworth, Senior Advisor for Digital and Innovation at Skills Jersey, said: “The DEC programme has already given nearly 300 students an insight into careers they might never have previously thought of.“We’re seeing young people who were in the first DEC! Level 2 intake in 2018 now actively considering careers as architects, as civil engineers, and as quantity surveyors. To deliver all of that, on-Island, in partnership with local companies, is a fantastic achievement.”
Marc Burton, Vice Chair of the Jersey Construction Council, said: “We are delighted that the next phase of the DEC! level 3 offer will be available from September. Including this higher-level qualification will allow us to develop the opportunities for Jersey students, including introducing an ‘earn while you learn’ pathway into the sector.”