East Kent Colleges Group launch Assistive Technology Suites

East Kent Colleges (EKC) Group has officially launched its inspiring Assistive Technology Suites.

Professionals in the health and care sector have taken a step into the future after EKC Group proudly launched its innovative Assistive Technology Suites.

Strategically located across the Group’s Colleges in Broadstairs, Canterbury, and Folkestone, the fully equipped suites proudly showcase innovative technology, empowering care professionals to engage in real-life scenarios, ensuring they are always prepared for a range of care situations.

Local employers and stakeholders were invited to an exciting launch event at EKC Canterbury College where the state-of-the-art equipment inside one of the suites was showcased.

Some of the technology, which aims to assist those living with health conditions such as dementia, includes home security systems like automatic door locks, motorised blinds/ curtains, and smart software.

The equipment aims to provide gentle nudges to those living independently when they may need it, whilst also offering family members peace of mind that their loved ones are safe and well.

EKC Group has worked in partnership with other colleges in Kent to develop learning environments equipped with assistive technologies as part of the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund.

This initiative addresses the skills gaps across the county, so the Group is focusing on fostering a supportive environment for employees in the sector, guiding them toward fulfilling careers that are strongly supported by the latest technology.

Garry Costain, who is the Managing Director at leading care provider Caremark, says assistive technologies are the future.

“I’ve been talking for years now about the use of different types of technology in home care,” he said.

“It has got to go this way because, increasingly, more people are going to have more of their care situated at home.

“This is the future. The tech is out there, and I look forward to the future when it’s more technology based.”

Lucy Druesne, who is the Strategic Lead for the Kent and Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, added: “The tech is one thing, but the key elements are the skills around it and the ability to actually demonstrate it in a real setting and be able to see how it can support health outcomes and people in the setting that they want to be in.

“To be here at Canterbury College and see it actually working and employers engaging with it is really important.”

Lindsey Biggs, Chief Innovation and Skills Officer at East Kent Colleges Group, also said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to have launched our assistive technology suites. These game changing learning environments are going to equip the health and social care workforce and our students with the skills of the future in the health and social care sector. 

“We’ve worked in partnership with the other Kent colleges to develop these learning environments as part of a Local Skills Improvement Fund initiative which addresses the skills gaps across the county. As part of the project, we’ve had incredible support from a wide range of stakeholders from within the sector, who’ve guided the design of our brand-new curriculum, ensuring that we are teaching students the skills they need to continue to grow and flourish.

“The suite of new courses in Assistive Technology and Digital Skills have also been designed to help employers to bridge their existing skills gaps through enabling the current workforce to become technologically proficient but also committed to delivering compassionate care in an increasingly digital world”

The blended learning courses on offer with EKC Group combine online study with sessions at the on-site facilities. Students will be able to immerse themselves in the technology and develop inspiring new skills.

Industry leaders in the health and care sector can also make use of the rooms to empower their employees with robust training and development in the newest technology.

Whether professionals want to explore the newest technology before implementing it in their organisation, or simply want to develop a training opportunity for members of their team, EKC Group can support them in driving their organisation into a new era and providing the best care for their patients.

To find out more about the courses on offer, and the Assistive Technology Suites, visit ekcgroup.ac.uk and search ‘Supporting Innovation in Health and Care’.