The prestigious accolade recognises The City of Liverpool College’s strong track record of delivering the skills needed in modern Britain, making it one of just a few colleges in the UK to receive the honour.

This recognition comes on the heels of the college’s recent Ofsted report, which praised its ‘Outstanding’ performance in areas such as personal development and adult learning opportunities, with inspectors singling out the student experience as “transformative and life-enhancing”.

The Chartered Institution for Further Education accepts colleges with exemplary long-term records of achievement, making this a significant milestone for the college.

The City of Liverpool College was recognised for its high achievement rate among students and its advocacy for the further education sector on a national level, as well as its phenomenal delivery for employers in generating talent for the future.

Damien Kilkenny, Deputy Principal at The City of Liverpool College, said: “Being awarded this status, especially just after our recent Ofsted report, is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality education and skills development.

“Gaining admission into the CIFE is not only important for the college but also for the Liverpool City Region as a whole. It demonstrates the potential for skills development in the area and highlights the college’s role in shaping the economic future of the region. This accolade is a recognition of our dedication to excellence and our strong belief in the importance of further education in shaping the future of our society.”

The college was recently invited to an Admissions Ceremony at Apothecaries Hall in the City of London where Membership of the Chartered Institution for Further Education was conferred.

The Chairman of the CIFE, The Lord Lingfield Kt DLitt EdD DL, commented: “On behalf of the Chartered Institution for Further Education, I was delighted to confer Membership on The City of Liverpool College. This prestigious status recognises the commitment that organisations make to upholding the highest standards in Further Education for the benefit of learners, employers and their wider communities. It is awarded only to providers that demonstrate a clear ethos of collaboration, excellence in leadership and governance and exemplary teaching and learning.”

Admission into the CIFE is a testament not only to The City of Liverpool College’s achievements but also a validation of its commitment to providing the skills needed for the future.

For students at the college, the conferral of Chartered status means that they can be assured of receiving high-quality education that meets the needs of the economy. The seal of approval from the Chartered Institution is a validation of the college’s curriculum and its commitment to preparing students for success in their chosen fields.

Local businesses and organisations that partner with The City of Liverpool College will also benefit from this prestigious accreditation. It serves as evidence that the college is developing the skills needed to re-skill and upskill employees, providing a valuable resource for local businesses to access top-tier education and training.

Year 8 and 9 pupils from Park High School and Pendle Vale College spent an afternoon at the college immersing themselves in all things science.

The visit, one of several taster sessions involving local schools, highlighted the college’s reputation as a premier destination for studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects.

The college aims to inspire and empower students to pursue their passions in STEM fields, with a commitment to nurturing curiosity, innovation, and scientific inquiry.

As part of its ongoing efforts to engage with the local community, Nelson & Colne College collaborates closely with nearby schools to encourage students to explore the exciting opportunities available in STEM education. Taster days, such as the ones held during Science Week aims to ignite a passion for STEM learning and inspire the next generation of scientists.

On the day pupils had the opportunity to work in the college’s state-of-the-art science labs and conduct practical experiments under the guidance of experienced tutors. Year 8 students from Park High School had the unique opportunity to extract DNA, providing them with a hands-on experience that brings science to life.

James Hindle, a Year 8 pupil and Science Ambassador from Park High, said: “Coming into Nelson & Colne College was a really great experience. Extracting DNA was so cool, and it made me excited to learn more about science in the future.”

Mr Farry from Park High commented: ” An amazing and inspiring experience for our STEM ambassadors as part of British Science Week. The opportunities provided by Nelson & Colne College are invaluable for our students. These hands-on experiences not only foster a love for STEM subjects but also open doors to future career possibilities. We are grateful for the college’s dedication to inspiring and empowering young minds.”

Reflecting Nelson & Colne College’s commitment to providing students with real-world opportunities, several current students studying STEM subjects at A level have benefited from mentorship programs with industry experts. This year, four students received mentoring from professionals at Glaxo Smith Kline, while one student is taking up a coveted summer placement with Unilever. These experiences not only enhance students’ academic learning but also provide valuable insights into potential career pathways in STEM fields.

Kirsten Graham, Head of Division for Science, said “We are delighted to celebrate National Science Week and showcase the exceptional work being done in STEM education at the college. Our commitment to providing innovative learning experiences and real-world opportunities is at the heart of everything we do. Through our collaborative efforts with local schools and industry partners, we aim to empower students to reach their full potential and make meaningful contributions to the world of STEM.”

Schools and colleges will receive investment to upgrade classrooms and refurbish buildings that will provide high quality learning environments – benefitting communities for years to come.

Since 2010, one million school places have been created, the largest increase in school capacity in at least two generations. Thanks to this new tranche of funding, thousands of additional primary and secondary school places will be created in good or outstanding schools for September 2026.

This comes on top of the School Rebuilding Programme which will transform buildings at 500 schools across the country over the next decade – prioritising those in poor condition. The government has already invested over £13 billion in school capital funding to improve the condition of school buildings since 2015.

Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon said: “This significant investment will transform school and college buildings across the country so that they are fit for the future and can provide the best education for students, no matter where they live.

“We want every young person to have access to high-quality facilities and learning environments, to gain the skills they need to climb the ladder of opportunity into further study and work, whilst supporting efforts to grow the economy.”

The funding announced includes:

• A £1.8 billion investment for the 2023-24 financial year to improve the condition of the school estate across England. This builds on over £13 billion to upgrade school buildings since 2015.
• A further £487 million will be invested to support councils to provide additional school places needed for September 2026.
• Alongside this, 146 colleges will benefit from the final phase of the £1.5 billion Further Education Capital Transformation Programme, to upgrade buildings and transform campuses.

The FE Capital Transformation Programme is just one part of a wider programme of government investment to transform post-16 education and training, ensuring that every student can gain the skills they need to progress and secure a good job.

This includes massive investment to support the roll out of new T Levels, boost capacity so there is a place for every 16 to 19-year-old and a £300 million investment to establish a network of Institutes of Technology.

Led by Pembroke College, Oxford, Oxnet is an established initiative run collaboratively between participating colleges at the University of Oxford, Durham University, the University of Manchester, and Hub secondary schools and colleges in London, the North West and North East of England.

During her time on the course, Bethany undertook a Study Day at Pembroke College, completed six academic seminars, submitted an essay for the Easter Essay competition, and completed a summer school week as an Oxford undergraduate student, where she was singled out by Oxford tutors for her work, and given a coveted Goldsmith Scholar prize.

Speaking of her experience, Bethany said: ‘It was intense, but it was great to prove that I could do it. I really liked the seminar series, as it was good to talk to experts in their field. We also had a small tutor group so that we could get personal feedback and that really made me think differently about tutorials at Oxford.’

Following her studies at Cheshire College, Bethany hopes to go to university to study Archaeology and Ancient History.

Bethany’s academic aspirations have been supported by The Futures Programme at Cheshire College, a unique selection of pathways designed to support progression onto employment and university.

Commenting on the programme, Bethany said: ‘The Futures Programme supported me in making the application to Oxnet and some of the team came to the summer residential, so it was nice to see some familiar faces. The Scholars group are really friendly, and my teachers are all very supportive too.’

Fiona Massey, the Futures Programme Coordinator said: “We hope that Bethany is proud of her award as a Goldsmith Scholar. We wish Bethany the very best in her future plans and look forward to welcoming her back as an alumna of the Scholars Programme to talk to current pupils about her journey.”

Dhesi, Principal and CEO of Cheshire College, commented: “We are very proud of Bethany’s achievements with the Oxnet Programme. Not only has her hard work and determination paid dividends, but her success will also inspire the new cohort of Scholars at Cheshire College.”

Cheshire College are now accepting applications for September 2023 for those interested in studying a diverse range of A Level subjects, designed to provide students with combined skills and knowledge that will fully prepare them for the next exciting stage of their life.

www.ccsw.ac.uk

When students qualify in skills such as plumbing, hairdressing, electrical installation, the Start Up coaching programme provided by the Wirral Chamber as part of their partnership with Wirral Met, will take this to the next level to support students, who wish to become self-employed or set up their own business.

Workshops will be focused on three key areas for establishing a business: business planning, marketing and finance, complementing to students newly developed skills.

In addition, for students who create products, as part of the entrepreneurial programme, they will also be provided with an opportunity to sell their goods in one of the Chamber’s Artisan market chalets as part of Small Business Saturday in December.

Sue Higginson, Wirral Met’s Principal said: “We have a strong and well-established partnership with Wirral Chamber of Commerce and are pleased to be working with them on a number of projects, including how we work together to deliver the local skills agenda.

“This project is a partnership to help our students explore their true potential.  The most important thing for young people is to continue their education and skills development until they are at least 18 to progress into employment, further education or university.

“As a vocational college all of our students choose a career and sector to hone their skills and, when they are qualified, this programme will enable them to explore self-employment and become a future employer in their own right.”

Patsy Crocker, Executive Director of Wirral Chamber of Commerce said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Wirral Met on this StartUp Wirral initiative – supporting budding entrepreneurs on their journey from an idea or hobby into a ‘real’ business that can thrive and growth.

“Through enabling Wirral Met students to turn their hobby or dream into a reality and begin their journey as a business owner also helps support our local economy.

“We look forward to featuring these new businesses at #SmallBusinessSaturday and holding a dedicated market at Woodside that features all Wirral students. Our business start support is funded in partnership with Wirral Council”.

Andy Worthy (left), who teaches engineering at the college’s City Campus, received the New North East Lecturer of the Year prize at the Lord Glenamara Memorial Awards after being praised for his journey from industry to education, as well as his dedication to helping students achieve and progress into rewarding careers.

Alongside his teaching role, Andy also helps prepare students for inter-college skills competitions and delivers interactive sessions to secondary school pupils at open events, encouraging them to explore the world of engineering and the careers it can lead to.

After receiving his award, Andy said: “I am honoured to have even been nominated for this great award and feel humbled to win it.

“Since joining the Further Education sector from the engineering industry, I have been supported by so many great people. The amazing team around me has made my transition so justifiably easy. Without their support, in particular, that of my brilliant and supportive line managers, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“This award really is for me and my colleagues and the tireless work that we all do to ensure the best possible learning experiences and environments for our students. Long may we continue to encourage and support one another as we work toward a better future for our great region.”

Joining Sunderland College in 2017 as a workshop technician after working at automotive manufacturer Unipres, Andy soon developed a passion for teaching, which led to him studying his PCET at the University of Sunderland.

Following positive feedback from students and his colleagues, he was successful in being appointed as a lecturer within the Advanced Manufacturing department and quickly became an integral part of the curriculum team. With his industry links, he took on the role of Apprenticeship programme lead, delivering workshops, producing resources, and ensuring off the job training was delivered to the highest standard.

Curriculum Manager, Chris Lindridge, who nominated Andy, added: “Andy is truly deserving of this award.

“The Lord Glenamara Memorial Awards were a celebration of the best educator in their profession and Andy did himself and every one of us proud. He has taken the step to move from industry into education and has given 100% throughout his journey. He is always the first to offer a solution and can always be relied upon to help both staff and students without fail.

“He was humble in his acceptance speech but having the opportunity to be present to see the joy that this award brought not only to him but to his family was so rewarding.

“Andy embodies the college values in everything he does, and this award is testament to his commitment to Sunderland College and the students who he has inspired both past and present.”

Introduced by the Department for Education in 2012 in memory of former Education Secretary and Newcastle MP Ted Short, the Lord Glenamara Memorial Awards allow top talent from across the North East to take centre stage and celebrate great achievements and talents of young people across the region in technical education, emerging teaching talent, and also those involved in pastoral care and careers education.

Titled Fusion, the exhibition showcases work by Wirral Met College degree students on Fine Art, Illustration with Animation and Photography courses.

The College has been holding annual degree shows at the Williamson Art Gallery for over twenty five years. This year’s show carries on this tradition of celebrating the latest emerging talent from the region.

The exhibition of work from 17 graduating students covers diverse topics from social housing, chronic illness, mythological characters and menstruation.

Friends, family and colleagues gathered at the Williamson Art Gallery on Thursday 12 May for a private view.

Photography student Kirsty Anne Wilson, from Neston, was given a special recognition award by the College on the night. Her artwork will now join the College’s growing alumni collection across all five of its campuses.

Reacting to the news, Kirsty said: “I am totally surprised but really proud that my artwork has been recognised for what it is. There is a lot of good work here and it could have gone to anyone. I’m just really proud that a story like mine has been recognised.”

Kirsty’s thought-provoking self-portraits titled ‘Inescapable – a journey into the unknown self’, is a personal journey exploring who she is and her place in the world. Kirsty’s work depicts the experiences felt of learning to live with a chronic illness and pain in the face of ongoing adversity.

Created using a variety of photographic practices including digital and analogue, the black and white photographs explore the themes of pain, illness and loneliness, but also bravery, hope and determination to never give up.

Kirsty said: “I wanted to highlight the hidden side of chronic illness and disability. Everyone sees the wheelchair but they don’t see what goes on behind that and the truth of how hard it can be. I wanted the project to open that up.”

36 year old Kirsty started at Wirral Met on the HND Photography course, before progressing on to BA (Hons) Photography Top Up. The year degree allows students to ‘top up’ their existing skills into a full honours degree.

“My time at Wirral Met has been a huge journey. For my first two years on HND Photography I spent 90% of my time in hospital. This past year I’ve been out more than in hospital and I’ve actually been able to enjoy the course and focus on my work. I couldn’t have done it without my amazing tutors.”

Kirsty is continuing her studies with a PGCE at Wirral Met from September, with the hopes to become a photography teacher. She is also working with the Royal Photographic Society.

Principal of Wirral Met College, Sue Higginson, said: “Fusion Exhibition showcases the fantastic achievements of our graduating students and marks the start of their professional journey as artists.

“With the origins of the college starting as an Arts School, we are proud to champion creativity and provide an opportunity for students to share their work with the wider community.”

The Exhibition is open Wednesday to Saturday until Saturday 21 May, 10.30am – 4.30pm, in Galleries 1 and 13. Entry is free.

More information: https://williamsonartgallery.org/portfolio_page/wirral-met-degree-show/

The BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development (equivalent to three A-levels) is for anyone passionate about sport.  Students will have the opportunity to access multiple careers within the professional sports industry following this programme. However, studies will be combined with cricketing opportunities at the world class facilities at Edgbaston, which are used regularly by the players of England, Warwickshire, Birmingham Bears and Birmingham Phoenix.

Scott Thomas, Head of Section in the Institute of Sport at Sandwell College, said: “We understand this partnership to be the first of its kind that is delivered at a world-renowned cricket venue, which will provide the most inspiring of locations for our students to learn and prepare for a career in the professional sports industry.

“We expect many of the students to go on to develop a career in a wide range of sectors within this industry, which could include sports coaching and teaching, sports injuries and rehabilitation, sport development, performance analysis, nutrition, sport psychology, marketing, operations and even business. However, they can also enhance their cricket-playing journey in some of the best facilities in the world.

“This is a venue that is home to Chris Woakes and Amy Jones and is used throughout the year by many of the world’s best cricketers. Our students will be training in these same facilities and can develop under the guidance of some of the same top-level coaches.”

The vocational course will cover modules across the two years, including sports tourism, marketing communications, sports psychology, technical and tactical skills in sport and more. No exams will form part of the assessments, which include written reports, portfolios, and posters to verbal assessments, presentations, and practical observations.

The partnership with the Edgbaston Foundation in delivering the course, is a key step in the charity’s ambition to grow its ‘Cricket Inspired Learning’ theme, to support more young people into education and employment.

Ravi Masih, Lead of the Edgbaston Foundation, said: “One of the principals of the Edgbaston Foundation is to give young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop and we’re very excited to collaborate with Sandwell College to provide more experience, skills and understanding of what it takes to work in professional sport.

“Through our many connections in the game with schools, cricket clubs, community programmes and our Member and supporter base, we plan to communicate and make this course widely available to as diverse a group of young people as possible. To attract more young women into the game would be fantastic, especially in the lead up to hosting women’s T20 matches at the B2022 Commonwealth Games.

“We are also committed to giving opportunities to further develop some of the talented students through work experience opportunities at Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Edgbaston Stadium.”

Graham Pennington, Principal at Sandwell College, said: “We are delighted to announce this unique partnership with Edgbaston Stadium, which will create once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for our students.

“We are committed to going above and beyond to deliver the best possible outcomes for our learners, and this brand-new course will support future careers in professional sports as well as wider industries.

“We look forward to working closely with Edgbaston Stadium delivering new courses in the city of Birmingham with our widely regarded teaching, guidance and support for all of our students.”

Prospective students and their parents can learn more about the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development, at an open day at Edgbaston Stadium from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Friday 6 August. Email scott.thomas@sandwell.ac.uk to register a place and find out more.

Gower College Swansea won Apprenticeship Programme of the Year at the annual Tes FE Awards, which recognises the best further education organisations supporting learners across the UK.

The college was commended for developing high quality apprenticeship schemes for local industries, and specifically its work with one of the world’s most recognisable steel producers, Tata. Gower College Swansea then cultivated strong links with other businesses, including Huntsman Corporation and Vale Europe, to provide each with high quality apprentices – benefitting both employers and learners.

Judges specifically recognised Gower College Swansea’s response to solving Tata’s shortage of science skills. The college not only developed a level 3 apprenticeship in laboratory and industrial science but went one step further, developing a level 4 higher apprenticeship in life-science industries.

The college then worked innovatively to secure further progression for the pathway and reached an agreement with Swansea University to allow students to go on to the second year of their chemistry undergraduate degree programme – the first chemistry pathway of its kind in the UK.

The college has also had immense success in promoting girls and women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) apprenticeships. In doing so, the college has supported disadvantaged female apprentices and visited local schools to encourage more girls to pursue careers in STEM.

Paul Kift, Director of Skills and Business Development at Gower College Swansea said: “Being judged to have the best Apprenticeship Programme in the UK is testament to the efforts of our learners, my colleagues, and the college’s employer partners. We strive to provide our students with fantastic opportunities and have worked incredibly hard to build strong relationships with businesses who share our appetite for developing the best talent. Our vision is to lead the way in education and training for the learners, employers and communities that we serve – this award demonstrates that others feel that we are making strong progress towards that.”

Gower College Swansea is on track to be recognised further for its apprenticeship efforts having been shortlisted for no fewer than three UK awards (the joint most nominations of any UK organisation) at the FE Week and AELP AAC Apprenticeship Awards. The college has been nominated for digital apprenticeship provider of the year, engineering and manufacturing apprenticeship provider of the year, and legal, finance and accounting apprenticeship provider of the year. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, July 8th, 2021.

For more information about Gower College Swansea and its apprenticeship programmes, visit the college website www.gcs.ac.uk.

With these courses, students will have two training sessions and one class a day for 3 days a week, and will achieve a NCFE qualification, the same as they’d receive at a typical college of further education. During the courses however, they will also have the benefit of competitive games on a Wednesday.

Both courses at Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club will begin in September 2021 and are open for enrolment now. To apply, click here: https://www.wearescl.co.uk/birmingham-rugby

Travis McIntyre, who runs the academy, said: “We’re so excited to announce that we’ll be running two brand new courses from September, it’s something that we’ve been wanting to expand into for a while now and because of the popularity of football and women’s rugby around Birmingham, we’re sure we’ll have some incredible players join us.

“We started the academy in 2014, exclusively running men’s rugby courses, but it’s been so successful that we’re sure we have the expertise and knowledge to replicate this into a football course and, adapt the knowledge we already have for the women’s rugby classes.

“Our past rugby students have gone on to gain full scholarships at universities and play in the Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club’s team, so while we are primarily a rugby club, we appreciate all sport and are excited to expand our student base to football, as well as rugby.”

The first information evening is Monday 17th May at 7pm in the Reddings Suite at Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club, subject to Government guidelines.