The Other Cheek interviews Steve Dixon, who has just got behind the desk as CEO of the Baptist church’s Bedford College in north west Sydney.
Steve, you have just become head of a unique institution – most Australian post-school education provided by churches do theology. You don’t. What does Bedford do?
We offer a range of educational opportunities with an emphasis on vocational training with current offerings in business, leadership and management, early childhood education, school-age education, as well as ageing support. In addition to these, we also offer qualifications in training and assessing, and first aid.
Bedford College maintains this strong desire to help equip all people to access great opportunities by learning the skills necessary to find secure employment. The College believes employment provides an essential pathway to contribute and help make a positive difference in the world.
My experience of Bedford is as the parent of a special needs person who Bedford shepherded through an Early Childhood Education diploma. Is pastoral care one of the things that set Bedford apart?
You’re right, John; care continues to be at the heart of Bedford – caring for the needs of every student no matter their background, worldview, or chosen area of study. We believe this is a strong expression of our Christian faith foundation.
But that’s one aspect – what else might recommend Bedford?
In addition to this, we focus on delivering career-focused education leading to meaningful employment. Because of this, many of our students are employed by the time they graduate. This is central to our offerings as we know students (and their parents) are seeking out qualifications that will allow them to progress into meaningful employment.
We also partner with some of Australia’s largest companies and organisations, as well as local businesses, who are always keen to employ our students and graduates. With flexible learning options either face-to-face at our Norwest or Sydney CBD campus or online, students can plan their study around their existing personal, family and work commitments.
I read that Bedford was founded particularly to help women in the social devastation of WWII: what are the social issues that Bedford is facing today?
One of the most significant social issues Bedford is facing today is providing an environment that understands and responds to the needs, struggles, and concerns of students. The mental health and well-being of our staff and students is therefore paramount and something I want to ensure gets significant attention over the coming years.
Another issue is around the changing nature of education and the rapid progression of both online training and artificial intelligence. I see this as a tremendous opportunity to reimagine and innovate both what we offer to students and how we deliver it.
Additionally, we see a real need to equip students in their ability to work collaboratively and genuinely care for others as they embark on their chosen vocation. Our world desperately needs people who are not only aware of what’s going on in the lives of others but who are willing and able to respond in an empathetic manner.
Is there something that being a Baptist institution that makes Bedford different?
A couple of things come to mind here for me, John. The first is that we see all people as created in the image of God. We, therefore, ensure that what we offer to all our students is an expression of His love for us. We care for them because God first cared for us.
Secondly, it’s that we train people to be able to offer themselves in their work as servants in the world – just as Jesus did. To undertake work in service of others is an expression of faith.
Thirdly, it’s about contextualisation. Every student is going to find themselves in employment situations that require them to think about people in places at a particular point in history. As Baptists this is something we do really, really well – take the Gospel into different places and think about what it means for a particular group of people at a particular point in time. This conviction informs our practice of how we train at Bedford.
As you set out on heading the college, what will success look like for you?
First and foremost, it’s that we embody our mission of being an innovative provider of quality training and to strive for excellence in all we do. To provide students with a caring, Christian environment that enhances their ability to succeed and to assist individuals of all backgrounds and cultures to work and learn in harmony.
The second is to increase our industry partnerships that engage with Christian and secular settings to ensure students are thoroughly equipped for the work they want to undertake.
Third, it is to equip our staff team to be the very best they can be.
Finally, it is to grow what we do to engage more students.
Bedford College website is here.