Somerset College is transferring its higher education provision from its current validating institution to the Open University. This "Transitions in Somerset" project will manage the seamless transition while developing a new portfolio of programs. The project aims to strengthen employer partnerships, upskill faculty, and ensure programs meet local skills needs and employability. It will develop communities of practice, transform curricula to enhance employability, and improve students' higher education experience.

1. Somerset College
Transitions in Somerset
Somerset College is the largest provider of Higher Education (HE) in the county of Somerset,
with 632 full time students on a comprehensive range of prescribed HE (HNCs, HNDs,
Foundation and Bachelor degree) programmes. These programmes have been designed to
meet the needs of local, national and international learners, and to promote widening access
to Higher Education. The ‘Transitions in Somerset’ project has been set up to manage the
transfer of the College’s HE provision from its current validating Higher Education Institute
(HEI) to the Open University. This transition will provide opportunities for the development
of new relationships with local employers, for employer involvement in programme design,
delivery and assessment, and will enable the College to act in a more autonomous manner.
The project also provides the opportunity to up-skill the College’s academic staff and focus
more closely on the needs of employers in Somerset (e.g. Health and Care, Computing and
Engineering, and the Creative Industries). The overall aim of the project is to enable a
seamless transition to the Open University whilst at the same time developing a new portfolio
of prescribed HE programmes. With local and national employer consultation taking place at
the design stage of curriculum development, employability skills can be clearly identified and
embedded into the College’s HE programmes. The Catalyst Fund will support the project aim
by:
• Developing a community of practice with staff, students and employers
Somerset is characterised as predominantly consisting of very small and
enterprising private sector businesses, with a notable cluster of small IT
enterprises and a vibrant community of small designer makers. However, there are
many large public sector employers (e.g. local NHS Trust, local government
authority and the Royal Navy Hydrographic Office) that have identified a local
skills shortage and a need for up-skilling staff. The appointment of an Internship
Coordinator responsible for securing internship/work based learning opportunities
for students, will enable this skills shortage to be filled through the generation of
graduates that have learnt directly alongside the employer.
In the Creative Industries there is a significant demand for Art & Design
programmes, and the growing community of self-employed Designer Makers
seeking further development and support for their commercialisation of their
creations. Work with the Somerset Arts Education Partnership and surveys of
local Designer Makers has identified a need to offer Innovation and Incubation
support for new entrants to the sector. Through providing practitioners with access
to expertise and specialist equipment in the College, a student - practitioner
interaction will enhance creativity.

2. To support development of the curriculum, it is the College’s aim to develop a
distinctive model of scholarly activity which will enhance the knowledge and
research skills of staff through applied learning. Staff will be supported in
undertaking postgraduate study and in conducting research alongside employers in
order to forge a more dynamic community of practice. This will enable staff to
deliver research-informed teaching, and provide them with an opportunity to adapt
their skills and knowledge to reflect changing employment practices.
• Transforming curriculum delivery to meet the employability needs of students
The College’s Higher Education curriculum aims to prepare students for
successful employment upon graduation. Programmes are both vocational and
applied and include HNC/Ds, Foundation and Honours degrees in disciplines
covering design; media production; digital and computing technologies; business
and management; health care; early years; engineering; education and sport
management.
As part of the validation process with the Open University, programmes are being
refreshed and up-dated to take into account changes in employment trends and
professional practice. Working with employers and national bodies will provide
opportunities for integrating professional qualifications and higher
apprenticeships, thereby maximising the employability outcomes for students.
• Enhancing the students’ HE learning experience
As a mixed economy college, Somerset College caters for a wide range of
learners. In addition to embedding employability skills within the curriculum, the
project will be used to transform the HE learning environment by providing
modern and fit-for purpose resources across the curriculum. This will include:
o Enhancing and updating specialist equipment to ensure it meets the current
industry standard and where possible the needs of the future;
o Ensuring access to appropriate learning resources following change of
validating institute.