By Tom Bird, Curriculum Manager at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC)
As the Curriculum Manager at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), my primary focus is ensuring that our training aligns with world-class standards. I had the opportunity to attend the WorldSkills UK International Exchange Visit to WorldSkills Lyon 2024, where I gathered insights on enhancing our curriculum while embedding the WorldSkills competition ethos within our centre. The aim is to expose our learners to the highest level of industry standards, allowing them to compete on a global stage and encouraging excellence across the board.
The visit provided invaluable opportunities to build both national and international networks with other educators and industry leaders. One of the standout takeaways was how WorldSkills UK strives to make its competitions accessible to all, including learners with disabilities. This approach has inspired us to explore ways of fostering a more inclusive environment at AMRC, ensuring that all learners, regardless of background or ability, can benefit from the same high standards of education.
Additionally, I gained clarity on working with WorldSkills UK to embed WorldSkills competition briefs into our curriculum, ensuring that the standards we teach align with world-class expectations. The guidance on preparing learners for future competitions has been particularly useful, providing us with a structured pathway to begin entering students into these competitions.
My involvement with WorldSkills UK has significantly impacted my professional development and the advancement of our staff. Through the CPD provided by WorldSkills UK, our teaching team has seen a marked improvement in pedagogy. The training has helped us rethink how we approach assessments and tailor the delivery of learning, leading to a transformative effect on our lessons that are now more engaging and appropriately challenging.
For my own career, this involvement has broadened my perspective on curriculum design, exposing me to cutting-edge practices that I can implement at AMRC. The collaboration with WorldSkills UK has not only enriched my role but has also opened doors to future opportunities within the broader education and manufacturing sectors.
