UK’s The Bournemouth and Poole College signs agreement with Key Academy

The hospitality industry and other key industry sectors will receive a much needed stimulus when one of the largest further education colleges in England, The Bournemouth and Poole College (B&PC) launches its extensive portfolio of higher education ‘employment-ready’ qualifications through Key Academy, Sri Lanka

At the signing of the agreement, The Bournemouth and Poole College Principal Lawrence Vincent and Key Academy Director Programs Shafeek Wahab, looking at Director International Sue Sharkey and Valerie Winzar of The Bournemouth and Poole College UK

. The partnership was sealed recently empowering Key Academy to conduct a broad range of internationally recognised qualifications that are employment ready, adding myriad choices for young people to enter excellent progressive academic or vocational education qualifications relevant to career ambitions and abilities. B&PC, a multi-award winning college which is showcased in the Ofsted Report as being ‘outstanding’ in several areas, is one of the largest state funded further education colleges in the UK. With British education being renowned as the ‘Best in the World’, Key Academy envisions this partnership as offering Sri Lankan students great opportunity to achieve the apt qualifications in preparation for their career of choice, within the ethos of ‘An affordable UK education at your doorstep’.

Principal of B&PC Lawrence Vincent, who commended Key Academy for the initiative taken to introduce ‘employable’ qualifications into industry sectors which he said, required not only theoretical knowledge but more importantly, hands-on experience  to ensure that those qualified with a B&PC qualification, truly espouse the College’s adage, ‘Aspire, Achieve and Succeed’.  “We are designed to impart both the knowledge and skills to help secure future career paths that young people want,” he stated, exampling that the B&PC student experience is officially recognised as one of the best in the UK having been conferred two national ‘firsts’ in the prestigious’ Leading the Learner Voice’ awards, a double award which is absolutely unique.  

Adding to this, Key Academy’s Director Program and Curriculum Shafeek Wahab explains that with B&PC being one of the largest further education colleges in England comprising six centres located across the Bournemouth and Poole area, over 20,000 students including 4,700 full time students and international students from the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe, Sri Lanka is infusing international standards that are imperative to achieving the country’s development goals.  “Sri Lanka hopes to at attract 2.5 million tourists by 2016 which means, not only physical infrastructure, but a huge demand is expected in the human resources area as well. Tourism is also the fastest growing industry in the world, with numerous opportunities opening up in myriad segments including a burgeoning penchant for cruise travel and niche experiences. The global traveler is now very discerning and will not accept sub-standard service or facilities. With our initial courses in hotel reception and housekeeping, which will expand to other sectors, Key Academy is committed to providing the best all round experience required in preparation for employment and even for continued education aligned to expected global norms.”  

This is further augmented with a faculty from the UK and industry specialists from Sri Lanka imparting the curriculum to the exacting and stringent standards as set out by B&PC, which leads to the prestigious B&PC certification. Key Academy’s parent company EMI Capital has signed an agreement with Reed UK, a global employment specialist working in close partnership with major employers in both Sri Lanka and overseas, enabling students to prepare for interviews, assessments and process placement opportunities.      

Key Academy will begin the academic year in mid January at its state of the art facility located at Hill Street Dehiwela, initially with the Hotel Reception and Housekeeping certifications, expanding to aviation and cabin crew training, hair dressing and beauty therapy, English Teacher Training, Entrepreneurial Career Courses, Travel and Tourism marketing, Access diplomas and foundation degree courses.