We are celebrating a double triumph after being named an Association of Colleges Beacon Award winner for our successful engagement with local employers and being Highly Commended for our work to widen student participation.
The Awards, which this year celebrate 17 years of outstanding teaching and learning in Further Education (FE) colleges, were announced at the AoC’s Annual Conference and Exhibition in Birmingham on 16 November.
(l-r) Michael Motley, Director of
ncn at Work; Amanda
Schofield,
Nottingham City Homes; and Lloyd Murray,
Business Link East Midlands,
at ncn’s Business
Breakfast
ncn won the AoC Create Award for College Engagement with Employers. The Award recognises exemplary practice in the delivery of provision which is both responsive to the needs of employers and makes a demonstrable difference to their business.
The College has spent three years honing the high quality training it offers to local businesses, and has made a cultural shift so that employer engagement is now seen as fundamental to the College ethos. All projects are strategically aligned to the local, regional and national economic training strategies and objectives.
This targeted effort has paid off with the number of employers involved rising from 400 to 2,000 and an increase in student numbers from 600 to 5,800 within the three last years. This has led to a rise in income for the College from employers - from £1.5million to £7million. Feedback from employers and employees is very positive with 99% of companies agreeing that the training received has had a beneficial impact on their business.
Former ESOL student, Arlindo (right)
suggests a
BEGIN course to his friend
Massomba,
at a ncn Adult
Learners’ Week event
ncn was also Highly Commended by the judges for the AoC Award for Widening Participation, which recognises the work of colleges in meeting the needs of previously hard-to-reach, or disengaged, students through education and training.
The College was praised for its long-established Gateway Project. This supports the teaching of English as a second language (ESOL) in the city through a one-stop brokerage service called BEGIN, which aims to increase ESOL provision and reduce waiting lists for students. The project offers a six-week taster course delivered at different settings around the city.
ncn Principal, Geoff Hall, said: “We are delighted to receive such a prestigious award in recognition of our excellent employer training and our effectiveness in widening participation in the city of Nottingham.”
Tim Smit, Co-founder and Chief
Executive of the Eden Project,
announcing the 2010 Beacon
Award winners
The UK-wide Beacon Awards provide national recognition for excellence and innovation as well as acknowledging the talents of staff at all levels. They highlight the breadth and quality of education in the college sector.
ncn will host a local celebration event in the New Year and will be presented with their Award by John Hayes MP, Minister of State for FE, at a national presentation ceremony due to be held in Westminster on 9 February 2011.
Posted 17 November 2010