'Students love a real-life story': College director explains why experience counts in the classroom
As a midwife for more than 13 years, Sarah Davies is using her real-world experience to prepare the next generation of healthcare workers.
Sarah had decided to train as a midwife after having her two children and studied midwifery at the University of Wolverhampton. Alongside a passion for healthcare, Sarah had always known that she wanted to teach in further education and went on to earn her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at Edge Hill University.
"Being a midwife prepares you well for teaching. It’s fast-paced and high-pressured in lots of ways and there are lots of tangible skills," says Sarah, who lives in Bridgnorth. Initially teaching part-time alongside her job on the ward, Sarah progressed her career and is now the Director of Health and Science at Telford College, where she studied herself.
Sarah, who is still a practising midwife, registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), overseas the department, which provides courses in health, social care and science for school leavers and adults as well as apprenticeships, T Levels and Access to Higher Education.
Her role also sees her work closely with the NHS, Integrated Care Systems (ICS) and higher education institutions (HEIs) to ensure T Levels respond to workforce needs and help to fill skill gaps within the healthcare industry.
Sarah leads the NHS partnership, which sets up work placements at healthcare providers for students who first hone their practical skills in the college’s Clinical Skills Centre. Providing a realistic clinical environment, it includes two ‘skills rooms’ – a four-bed hospital ward, and a two-bed maternity environment.
Sarah says there has been an increase in demand for healthcare courses since the pandemic. "I think Covid had a big impact because when we were sat at home, it was the key workers who carried on working and were incredible at keeping the country running.
"It’s a career you need to have a passion for but it’s a career for life," she tells Weekend. "As midwives, we’re incredibly privileged to be part of a woman and her family’s life during the most joyful and life-changing event of their lives" she says.
Many of the college’s members of staff work within the NHS, combining their clinical expertise with teaching. Sarah is supporting The Department for Education’s Teach in Further Education (FE) campaign which is calling on those with industry experience to teach in FE by sharing their skills and training the next generation of workers in their field.
She believes this is critical for developing the next generation of health and social care experts and would encourage other industry professionals to consider teaching in FE on parttime, full-time or ad-hoc basis.
"I’ve always wanted to make a difference – for me that’s what it’s always been about. Moving into further education was huge as these students are relying on you, but if you can change one person’s life then it’s worth it. Plus, it makes you feel really proud that you can help future-proof the industry – it’s a privilege to share your skills with young people. Students love a real-life story – it makes you more credible. There’s a given respect when you’ve been in industry yourself.
"I regularly recruit new teachers without prior qualifications as the college offers teacher training to those who’ve come straight from healthcare so they can train on the job. That real-life experience is so valuable. I would say if you’re passionate about making a difference, it’s the best career to be in," she adds. FE teachers are needed across many subject areas, but there is particular demand for workers in the sectors of health and social care, construction, engineering and manufacturing, legal, finance, accounting and digital and IT.
Search for jobs teaching health and social care in Further Education
Find a teaching job near you