“As the Course Director for the Level Three Hairdressing, Sarah has successfully integrated WorldSkills UK benchmarking resources on the Learning Lab into the curriculum to enhance the learning experience for her students. These resources have proven invaluable in supporting teaching and providing students with a comprehensive understanding of industry standards.
One of the key resources utilised was a benchmarking video on razor haircuts, which aligned seamlessly with the existing curriculum. During theory sessions, Sarah and her learners watched the benchmarking videos and reviewed accompanying PowerPoint presentations that provided valuable insights and techniques. This multi-faceted approach reinforced her teaching by presenting the same concepts from different perspectives. When students heard techniques explained by a professional in the video, they often remarked, “That’s what you said, Sarah!” This cross-validation significantly enhanced their understanding and retention of the material.
To further engage students, Sarah held a mini competition in the classroom using our benchmarking resources from the Learning Lab. Knowing they would be evaluated against their peers motivated learners to strive for excellence. This competitive environment raised their standards and increased their focus and commitment to improving their skills, as they eagerly learned their scores and compared their performances.
Sarah went to explain that all resources on the Learning Lab are inclusive for all students, allowing everyone to participate. The videos and PowerPoint presentations enabled learners to engage at their own pace—rewatching segments, discussing techniques, and delving deeper into the content. This flexibility ensured that all students benefited from the lessons, accommodating various learning styles and preferences.
Having pre-made WorldSkills UK resources significantly improved Sarah’s efficiency. She could rely on these materials as a foundation for her lessons, allowing her to focus more on student engagement and less on preparation. As the WorldSkills UK Ambassador for her college, she plans to use these resources again and encourages her colleagues to adopt them as well. While some people are hesitant to embrace new resources, Sarah emphasises that signing up for them simplifies the process and reduces the workload.
Sarah wholeheartedly recommends these resources for formative assessments to gauge student progress. They are excellent for initial assessments and can also be used later in the year to evaluate how well students are meeting industry standards. These resources also prepare students for competitions organised by WorldSkills UK, which further motivates them.
Sarah is genuinely impressed by the quality and depth of these free benchmarking resources. They solidified her teaching with industry standards and helped clarify the expectations for her students regarding professional benchmarks. The results have been overwhelmingly positive, with students becoming more engaged, motivated, and confident in their skills.
This approach not only keeps learners updated with industry standards but also prepares them for success as they transition from college to their future careers.”
Access the WorldSkills UK Learning Lab here: https://www.worldskillsuk.org/learning-lab/
