CPD Day Showcases Employer Partnerships, Skills Development and Hands‑On Learning
- Posted 09 Feb 2026
We marked another inspiring CPD Day on Monday 9 February, bringing together employers, staff and students for a packed programme of workshops, demonstrations and enrichment activities across both the Seevic and Palmer’s campuses.
Local employers played a central role, delivering sessions that supported students’ development in business, entrepreneurship, wellbeing and life skills. Highlights included business and workplace insights from Ford Essex, a robotics and technology workshop from XR Studios, and sessions in entrepreneurship, life‑coaching and self‑defence designed to build confidence and resilience.
It is so nice to see the children interacting with the college students, listening to all the conversations going on is so beneficial for the children's speech and language skills.
Engineering students put their skills into action by creating copper keychains, applying precision techniques and problem‑solving. Early Years learners gained invaluable practical experience by welcoming children from Thundersley Primary School for guided activities that reinforced child development theory.
The day also featured a wide range of curriculum‑linked trips, giving learners meaningful experiences beyond the classroom. Groups visited Tate Modern, the Imperial War Museum, Hanningfield Reservoir, and took part in a University of Essex campus experience, allowing them to broaden cultural understanding, deepen subject knowledge and explore future pathways.
At the Palmer’s Campus, Phillip Lennon, Vice Chair of the Corporation, joined Hannah Johnson on a full tour of the activities. Their visit included a physiotherapy demonstration and time in the Pathways Kitchen, where Level 1 students were preparing healthy meals. Learners calculated the cost of ingredients and the calories per portion, demonstrating how maths is applied to real‑world tasks.
"CPD Days give our students the opportunity to put theory into practice. Seeing students use Maths skills in practical tasks was a great way to engage students, and to help them learn how they will use applications in real‑world settings."
CPD Day once again highlighted USP College’s commitment to employer‑led, experiential learning that prepares students for their future careers.