Students at EKC campuses are working and studying in virtual care homes created on campus to test technology designed to improve the lives of vulnerable people.
Kent-based Everon Group has partnered with East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) to give students valuable hands-on experience in the simulated environment which aims to expand learning and test products before they are used in the real world.
Everon Group is a leading European provider of digital, wireless cloud-based assisted living and remote care products, such as smart sensors, artificial intelligence, and remote monitoring which helps elderly and vulnerable people live independently in their own homes for longer. This is through technologies that track daily routines, providing housing providers, local authorities, and healthcare services with early alerts before a medical or safety crisis occurs.
The company says Kent is facing a growing skills shortage, with digital roles particularly in severe demand since the pandemic. At the same time, the adult social care sector is under increasing pressure, with nearly half of care providers struggling to recruit people with the skills needed to meet the complex needs of service users. Together, these challenges present a major gap for the local workforce.
The collaboration between Everon and EKC builds on a longstanding relationship between the two organisations and was recently formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, reinforcing their shared commitment to high-quality training, learning and employment opportunities for students across Kent.
EKC Group runs colleges in Ashford, Broadstairs, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and Sheppey.
Richard Hosier, Group Product Owner at Everon Group, is now based at EKC Group’s sites several days a week to oversee the creation of the simulated care homes across four of the college’s campuses.
The setups enable students to test Everon products in a realistic virtual 10-room care home, helping to identify any faults or performance issues before products are deployed in the real world.
The partnership has created valuable learning opportunities across a range of course groups, while Everon works with course leads to help shape the curriculum, drive innovation in the sector and support efforts to ease the pressing skills shortage.
Richard said: “The testing sessions, which began in January, will continue as Everon’s product vision develops. Around 150 to 200 students from health and social care, electrical and engineering courses are taking part, bringing together a broad range of perspectives to the process.”
This is helping to ensure a more thorough assessment of Everon’s technology functionality and user experience, while also giving learners practical skills that support their future careers.
Richard added: “In the health technology sector, it is vital to recognise the risks of deploying a product directly to customers without thorough testing. This collaboration is essential to ensure the quality and reliability that underpin all of our products, while also preparing the next generation of workers.
“These individuals will bring unique, alternative insights, benefiting from their varied academic backgrounds and their digital-native perspectives.”
Lindsey Biggs, Chief Innovation and Skills Officer at EKC Group, said: “At EKC Group, we’re delighted to be working with Everon UK. This partnership is a great example of how further education and industry can work together to create meaningful opportunities and experiences for the next generation.
“Our learners gain valuable skills in data, reporting and problem-solving, while the insights they produce help Everon UK continue refining their product. With technology transforming health and social care, this project also supports our wider assistive tech ambitions and inspires learners about the opportunities in this growing sector.
“At EKC Group, we’re committed to helping local employers innovate, whether through collaborations like this, access to our facilities, or support for SMEs adopting new technologies.”
Everon Group has also welcomed three work experience placements from EKC into the business. The students are providing vital support across various departments, completing more than 300 hours of practical work experience in areas such as warehouse operations, customer service and project management.
For more information about Everon Group, please visit: everon.net.
Very informative article.