Highlands launches free Fiscal Stimulus-funded courses

Monday 21 June 2021

A number of courses aimed at boosting productivity and plugging skills gaps in the island's workforce are being offered for free at Highlands.

The college partnered with Digital Jersey and Skills Jersey to bid for money from the Fiscal Stimulus Fund to provide free places on courses to islanders and was given £1.7m out of the first £25m tranche of borrowed money.

The courses have been chosen specifically to boost productivity, address skills gaps, and support young people who may be returning to education after the pandemic.

There are currently 28 courses available through Highlands College, with more being planned for the near future. Courses currently available cover a wide range of disciplines.

• Professional Courses: AgilePM, ICSA Foundation Programme (Offshore Finance), Change Management, CIPD at various levels up to and including Level 5, Prince 2, CMI at various levels up to and including Level 5, Coaching, Project Management, Trainer Skills.
• Culinary and Hospitality: Professional Chef, Culinary Skills, Hospitality Skills.
• Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
• IT and Media: Information Technology for Business Leaders, Virtual Media Production, Audio.
• Technology & Production, 3D Modelling, Improving online streams and meetings.
• Education: CACHE qualifications at different levels for childcare.
• Hair and Beauty: Level 4 Salon Management (provisional), VTCT Level 4 Certificates in Skin Needling and Skin Peeling.
• Motoring: Level 4 Award in the Diagnosis, Testing and Repair of Electric/Hybrid Vehicles and Components.

Highlands College Principal Jo Terry-Marchant said: “We’re proud to be supporting the community and the Island’s recovery from Covid 19 by providing places on a range of courses free of charge. 

“There are many Islanders who would love to learn new skills, or retrain for a new career, but who are put off by the cost. This funding allows us to make learning available to more people. 

“For example, one of the first courses is the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice. This is the sort of qualification that could enable someone to take their first step in a career in HR, and we’re offering it free of charge, when it would usually cost over £3,000.”