SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Sheppey College, which is part of the East Kent College (EKC) Group, is more than just an educational institution. It’s providing a valuable service to the local community in Swale.

A study by the Federation of Master Builders earlier this year revealed that the demand in the UK for skilled tradespeople - including plumbers - was outstripping supply.

And with those talent gaps potentially threatening to derail government efforts to revitalise the economy, it is trades like plumbing that more and more young people are turning to for work.

Taking up the mantle for the north of Kent, Sheppey College recently entered into a partnership with Sittingbourne Technical College to offer plumbing and electrical engineering courses.

“Our courses are prepared to suit the needs of our serving areas, which means we pick our courses carefully to suit what our community needs,” commented Tia Eskisan, who is Marketing Officer at Sheppey College and Sittingbourne Technical College.

“In Sittingbourne, we ran plumbing courses as there were no other options locally which gave people the opportunity to study that particular trade.”

But it’s not just about waterworks.

Sheppey College is equally popular for its hair and beauty courses and its salon, which offers ideal work experience for students under the supervision of experienced and professionally-trained staff.

Offering treatments at what the college describes as being ‘extremely competitive prices’, Sheppey Salon has students - both past and present - that have entered both national and international hairdressing competitions with notable success.

Some of the other courses on offer include Computing, Building and Construction, Business, Health and Social Care, Early Years and Public Services.

Based in Sheerness and situated close to bus and railway stations, there is plenty of car parking nearby for students who get to study and learn in a close-knit environment.

“We are a smaller campus compared to the other colleges in the EKC Group but I see that as an advantage,” added Ms Eskisan.

“Smaller classes mean students get crucial one to one time with tutors each lesson. You also get to know everyone personally and it creates a welcoming and friendly environment.”

The college is easily accessed from Sheppey, Sittingbourne and the surrounding areas.