Get ready for summer 2021 event helps members respond to fluctuating demands

From Monday 7 - Friday 11 June 2021 we ran our Get ready for summer event, a suite of online webinars and open space discussions for language centres and agents, focussed on the logistics and preparation needed for member centres to operate in summer 2021.

Thanks to support and sponsorship from ELT service specialists Beststart HR, Hosts International, Britannia Student Services, Guard.me and Learn Away, each session had a distinct focus, and we were able to offer the event without charge.

We trialled a new event format with one session per afternoon over the course of the week and each presentation was followed by an open space discussion where participants shared their own impressions and experiences with one another.

The week started with compliance-oriented talks. On Monday Anita Wynne of Beststart HR outlined the important things to remember when recruiting staff at short notice, and on Tuesday, Huan Japes, membership director, was joined by Harsha Shivdasani of Hosts International to disucss Covid-19 secure guidance and best practice for ELT centres.

On Wednesday Alison Savile York of member centre BEET Language Centre and Michele Da Silva of Britannia Student Services discussed methods of finding accommodation and dealing with hosts. Thursday's session covered staff and student wellbeing with Christina Furtado of Guard.me and Ruth Hughes of Curious Human. We ended the week sharing fun activities for students on and off site with Neil McLoughlin of Buckswood Overseas Summer Schools and Adelle Barnett of Learn Away.

Business Development Director, Tim Barker, said 'We wanted to host an event that would help member centres respond to the fluctuating demands so they can feel confident in taking on students and staff over the summer. We had sessions for everyone, from centre managers to staff dealing with accommodation and student activities.

'Our sponsors' expertise allowed us to cover HR and Covid-19 secure guidance, the management of accommodation and how to keep students entertained. Whatever the summer brings we wanted to ensure members felt empowered with the latest information and guidance.'