SERC puts plans in place for the return to college in September

The immediate impact of Covid-19 meant that South Eastern Regional College (SERC) had to switch to online learning and whilst the doors of the College may have been closed for the summer, work is well underway for welcoming students and staff back into the College for course interviews and enrolment in August, and for the start of the new academic year on September 7.

Paddy McShane, Campus Manager for the College’s Lisburn Campus is part of the team working to get all sites ready.

He said, “Safety is paramount to everything we are doing at SERC in preparation for the new academic year. As you can imagine, some courses can be delivered online, but others require face-to-face tuition.

“At SERC we are fortunate to have inhouse a range of experienced staff with skills sets that other organisations will have to outsource. We are also fortunate to have access to specialist equipment and facilities. For example, we are printing our own vinyl signage to highlight social distancing, hand sanitising points, and actions necessary to keep everyone safe which will be on display throughout the College.

“In addition, we have a team working to produce and fit over 3000 Perspex screens, currently being installed in classrooms, computer rooms and specialist teaching areas such as hairdressing, beauty and hospitality and catering.

“New procedures are underway for how everyone enters and exits the buildings and moves around safely, mostly in a one-way system.

“Personal protective equipment (PPE) which is required for many programmes, will be commonplace on Campus.

“It is important that we all focus on the future. We are all part of the recovery process and what we do here and now will impact many people.“