Last week, West Suffolk College were joined in celebrating their achievement of the TQS by Geoff Russell, Chief Executive of the Learning & Skills Council. Mr Russell was invited to visit the College to congratulate the staff for the work they had done in becoming the first college to demonstrate excellence across seven different sectors.
The seven areas of excellence in which the college offers training provision are: Construction, Engineering, Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism, Management and Leadership, Health Care, Adult Social Care and Children’s Workforce Development - all seven are priority sectors for the locality and the wider region.
Commenting on their achievement, Mr Russell said that outstanding colleges would earn more flexibility and independence in managing their own affairs, “Ultimately it is about processes that deliver better quality for employers and learners. In terms of TQS, [West Suffolk College] are one of the leading colleges in the country and that is a remarkable accomplishment.”
Across the country in Dudley, BCTG staff were celebrating their own achievement. Presented to staff by the Minister for the West Midlands and Dudley North MP Ian Austin, BCTG achieved the Standard and in doing so demonstrated excellence in its responsiveness to employer needs.
Mr Austin said, “A skilled workforce is the essential foundation for the kind of dynamic, knowledge-led economy we need if the region is to compete when the upturn comes. It is now more important than ever to concentrate on up-skilling our workforce and training apprentices so we can prepare for the upturn.”
You can read the original articles for both these stories; here for West Suffolk College, and here for BCTG.