MP calls for more ‘vital’ employer engagement events as EKC Folkestone College hosts first of its kind 

An MP has called for more “vital” employer engagement events after EKC Folkestone College hosted its first-ever ‘Unlocking Local Talent’ Event. 

The event aimed to encourage more businesses to support the College and its students, such as through offering work experience opportunities, delivering keynotes to classes, collaborating with staff to create a curriculum which supports local skills needs, and much more.

Backed by Folkestone and Hythe MP Tony Vaughan and Folkestone and Hythe District Council Leader Jim Martin, the evening built on existing partnerships and saw new ones formed as more than 50 local employers attended.  

MP Tony Vaughan said: “It’s absolutely vital that we have more events like this in Folkestone so that we can bring opportunities to young people and create ways forward for them so that they can find the careers that they want and move forward in their professional lives. 

“We’ve got lots of young people who are ready for work but just haven’t got the opportunities that allow them to get their foot in the door and see what the world of work is actually like. 

“If we can increase the number of businesses that are pledging work experience, or some kind of mentoring, or a whole range of things that they can do, that is going to open doors for young people so that they can test their own ambition and find something they can pick up and run with, and really make a future out of.” 

Watch our video about the event

Underlining the value of collaboration between employers and local colleges, Cllr Jim Martin added: “Our combined future depends on training a skilled and motivated workforce. 

“What I would stress is the investment in training, and an investment in building a long-term relationship with an educational institution such as EKC Folkestone College. 

“It will pay off for individual businesses in silver dollars.” 

Daniel Fosbery, who is the Founder of Fosbery Studios, attended the event and has previously welcomed a student from EKC Folkestone College to undertake work experience at his business.  

“I treated the student who came to me like a professional – that was the whole point of it,” he said.  

“It doesn’t take a lot of time. You are helping a lot, and you learn something as well from it, and I’ve just got a whole connection with this college.” 

The event also marked the launch of EKC Folkestone College’s new Employer Advisory Boards, designed to create a curriculum truly led by industry.  

Industry Liaison Officer for Creative and Business at EKC Folkestone College, Bridget Chapman, said: “The key benefit for employers is that if they work with us, we can make sure that students are leaving college with the skills that the employers need.  

“And the key benefit for students is they get to leave us not just well-rounded, but they’re leaving very employable.” 

The Principal of EKC Folkestone College, Clare Brown, stressed that no matter how small or how large an employer is, they’ll always be welcome to talk to the college, meet the young people, and see the amazing resources available.  

If you run a local business and would like to find out more about working with your nearest EKC Group college, please email enquiries@ekcgroup.ac.uk or reach out to your nearest EKC Group College.

EKC Group has colleges based in Ashford, Broadstairs, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone, Sheppey and EKC Training Centres, which offer adult courses across East Kent. Visit ekcgroup.ac.uk to find out more.