Select a region
The GTA University Centre has promoted one of its long-serving employees to the role of deputy chief executive.
The GTA University Centre has promoted one of its long-serving employees to the role of deputy chief executive.
Simon Le Tocq has been appointed to the role, which aims to provide clear leadership for the GTA University Centre.
‘Simon has extensive experience within the education sector and is passionate about ensuring that the island’s business community has access to relevant and recognised qualifications. These qualifications enable them to contribute more effectively to their relevant industry sectors and ensures that Guernsey’s workforce is highly skilled which further promotes us in a competitive global marketplace,’ said interim chief executive Dr Elaine Monkhouse.
‘Simon has proved that he has the energy and commitment for this role and we have a great team in place to take the GTA University Centre forward.’
Mr Le Tocq, 40, has a BA in English and American Literature, an MA in applied linguistics and an MBA from the University of Southampton. He has been a teacher at institutions across the world including six years at Southampton University where he taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses and co-ordinated the university’s International Foundation Year Programme.
‘This is a hugely exciting time to become more involved in the future direction of the GTA. Elaine’s appointment, a great team of experienced programme managers in place, a fantastic new office within the training centre building and some interesting new ideas all combine to create a very optimistic future,’ he said.
He added that the GTA, which has now been in operation for more than 15 years, could not afford to stand still and that ensuring its offering was up to date in a rapidly changing business environment was a significant challenge.
‘The training landscape is very different today. Budgets are tighter and employers are finding it harder to release employees to enable them to attend courses. They are also much more discerning about the value of training and rightly so. Research shows that typically only 15-20% of what is learned from training finds its way back into the workplace. At the GTA we want to work closely with employers to develop courses which not only satisfy their needs in terms of content, level, accreditation, timing, length and affordability but which also result in improved performance back in the workplace.’
Mr Le Tocq, who is married with two daughters, said that he wants to form even stronger links with the business community.
‘I want to make more people aware of what we do and how we can help them. The GTA is not just here for the larger companies. We exist to support all businesses in all different sectors of the community. It is very important that our courses are relevant to the Guernsey workforce and we so spend a significant amount of time meeting with various professional bodies, employers and employees to ensure our course offering meets local demands to keep skills and qualifications up to date,’ he said.
He believes that education as a whole will see some significant changes over the coming decade.
‘Current models of how we teach and train have been around for several decades and in many cases are not keeping pace with changes in how we now work and study. The internet for example, has dramatically changed the way we live, and is now changing the way we learn. Learning is no longer confined to a classroom and this is a change we at the GTA need to embrace,’ he said
‘We need to ensure maximum flexibility and look at models such as online and blended learning, which combine elements of traditional face to face teaching with online learning. We are working with UK institutions and industry bodies and this will allow us to embrace changes and offer them to the local business community.’
Mr Le Tocq, who outside of work is one of the main organisers of the Rocquaine Regatta, said he was looking forward to the challenge of his new role.
‘There is a huge amount of positivity within the GTA at the moment and we have some really exciting projects in the pipeline. The challenge is going to be prioritising them to ensure each one is a success and delivers its full potential,’ he said.
