Anniversary of Lockdown at SERC

This past week has seen many reports in the media marking the anniversary of the first lockdown.  Many of us cannot believe that a full year has gone by - the usual speed of the academic year seems to have shifted up a gear as we continue to adapt to a different way of working, learning and connecting with family and friends.  We all look forward to the hustle and bustle of normal life on campus and with the vaccination programme well under way in Northern Ireland, it seems possible when we consider just how far we have come.

Ken Webb, Principal and Chief Executive of South Eastern Regional College (SERC) said, “Everyone has faced massive challenges during the last year and we recognise that the education journey was not what our students or staff expected. We acted swiftly when the pandemic struck, moving online to protect the health of the College community.  We remained open for business, ensuring students were supported to complete qualifications and delivered support to many small businesses, particularly with developing digital skills.”

“On the anniversary of the first lockdown, I am very proud that our staff ensured that students could learn and achieve through very difficult times. As well as quickly upskilling corporate and academic staff to go online with students we have, to date, issued 750 computers and laptops to SERC students so they could continue to learn at home.”

Ken added, “We have had to be creative with opportunities for assessment, for example, hospitality and catering students have planned and prepared meals for those in need over Christmas working in partnership with local charities; Travel and Tourism students have taken part in virtual exchanges with students in Japan and our seasonal student enterprise fairs have moved to a virtual catalogue.   In addition, the College has been a key part of the economic recovery.  With support from the Department for the Economy, we rolled out training to 550 people who were furloughed or made redundant. We worked to ensure apprenticeships are protected through the Apprenticeship Recovery Package and the Challenge Fund. All this has happened against a background of reorganising timetables, facilities and support so that everyone, on and off site, is able to learn and work safely.”  

Visit www.serc.ac.uk to find out how you could be part of the next generation of professionals #BetterOffAtSERC #OnlineAndOpenForBusiness Find us on Facebook, search SERC.

Caption:   

Pic 1 Hand sanitiser points on entrance and throughout SERC: Sancha Dicks, Technician, School of Creative and Performing Arts with Paddy McShane, Head of School Applied Science and Sport

Pic 2 Learning safely: New measures in place at SERC included production of over 3000 divider screens in classes and screens for lecturers.

Pic 3 SERC students gained skills and experience of seasonal foods by preparing Christmas meals and festive sweet treats for the local community which were distributed through local Food Banks (L-R) NVQ Level 1 and Level 2 Professional Cookery students Gilah Greig, Joel Dougherty, Beth Floyd, Thomas Cluney, Lecturer and Scott Smyth.

Pic 4 Reinforcing the College’s commitment to the health and safety of all students and staff, SERC took supply of over 20 000 reusable masks for staff and students (L – R) Chris Suitor, Build A Mask NI, Level 3 Travel and Tourism student, Amy Glen (17) from Ballinderry, Ken Webb, Principal and Chief Executive, and Heather Wells, Learning Support Officer and part-time lecturer.