Gower College Swansea recently welcomed a delegation of senior education figures from Ghana as part of a four-day leadership, development and knowledge exchange programme.
The programme focused on technical and vocational education and training (TVET), employer engagement and future skills development.
The visit showcased the College’s strategic approach to curriculum innovation and employer partnerships across key sectors including engineering, hospitality, construction and green skills. Delegates gained insight into how employer co-design, student and staff industry placements, and apprenticeship provision are embedded to ensure learners develop skills that are directly aligned to workforce needs.
A key feature of the programme included industry visits to organisations such as TATA Steel, Hacer Developments and The Secret Beach Bar & Kitchen, alongside a visit to Gelli Aur Campus at Coleg Sir Gâr, where delegates explored pioneering work being undertaken in green skills, sustainability and agricultural innovation.
The final day focused on leadership and curriculum innovation which included the College’s Curiosity Project, WorldSkills competitions and a Women in STEM showcase designed to inspire the next generation of female engineers and technologists.
“We were delighted to welcome our colleagues from Ghana to Gower College Swansea and to share some of the ways in which we work closely with employers to help shape and enhance our curriculum,” said Nikki Neale, Vice Principal for Curriculum, Quality, Teaching and Learning.
“The visit provided a valuable opportunity to showcase the strong partnerships that ensure our learners develop the skills, knowledge and experiences needed for future success.
“Our guests were able to see first-hand the impact of our Girls in STEM project, where more than 70 young girls from local schools participated in inspiring workshops in areas including engineering and cyber security. Delivered by College staff alongside employer partners, these activities are designed to encourage and empower the next generation of women to consider exciting careers in STEM-related industries.
“The real value of international partnerships such as this lies in the rich dialogue they create. As educators, we quickly realise that we share many of the same goals, ambitions and challenges, and there is a great deal we can learn from one another. This is certainly not a one-way exchange; the learning and benefits are mutual.
“This visit has helped to strengthen and secure relationships between our institutions, and we are excited to explore future opportunities for collaboration, including staff and learner exchange visits and the development of joint projects. We are extremely grateful to the British Council for their support and funding, which has made this valuable partnership possible.”
“The visit to Gower College Swansea and the employer engagement visits provided valuable insights into how strong partnerships between education providers and industry can enhance skills development, employability and regional economic growth,” said Samuel Gyedu-Brefo, Project Manager at British Council Ghana.“At Gower College Swansea, a key learning was the importance of employer-led curriculum design, apprenticeship provision and workforce development programmes that ensure training remains aligned with current and future industry needs. The visit to Tata Steel highlighted the value of close collaboration between industry and education in developing technical skills, supporting innovation, providing work placements and creating clear progression pathways for learners into employment. The employer engagement model demonstrated how industry partners can actively contribute to curriculum enhancement, research and talent development.
“At Coleg Sir Gâr, the focus on vocational education, apprenticeships and tailored employer training reinforced the importance of flexible, demand-driven learning opportunities that respond to local and regional workforce requirements. Overall, the visits showcased effective practices in employer engagement, work-based learning and skills planning, illustrating how collaboration between colleges and employers can create highly skilled workforces, improve learner outcomes and support economic development.”