OLDHAM College is vowing “our best is yet to come” after being pipped to the post for the coveted ‘FE College of the Year’ award.
It missed out in the race for the flagship award to The Bedford College Group,
at the prestigious TES FE Awards in a virtual ceremony held on Friday night
(October 16).
These awards are seen as the Oscars of the sector and Oldham College’s
first-ever shortlisting for this accolade is seen as a major success in its own
right. The nominees* for ‘FE College of Year’ were recognised for their
“imagination, commitment and hard work having led to stellar provision in all
areas” after judges evaluated evidence of
excellence in providing a high-quality curriculum and student outcomes, plus
strong recruitment and success rates in 2018-19.
Alun Francis, Principal and Chief Executive, said Oldham College was
“honoured” to be sharing a platform with the best FE colleges nationwide.
He said: “It’s very special for a college in a place like Oldham to be
shortlisted with the colleges we admire and seek to emulate – it puts us in
great company, and firmly on the national map at a crucial time for the future
of the Further Education sector.”
“Oldham College has undergone an amazing transformation. Eight years ago it was
literally falling down – yet we’ve rebuilt it in difficult financial
circumstances whilst also modernising our curriculum and other key areas.
“This recognition is for our talented staff and incredible governors who show
such commitment to making forward strides in what and how we deliver. I also
want to thank our brilliant diverse learners, and the employers and partners
supporting our vision to transform their lives, career prospects and the local
economy.”
Alun Francis believes the historic undervaluing of FE colleges is changing fast
– and that Oldham College is now well-placed to benefit from major changes to
Government policy on FE, skills and training.
He said: “Recognition is finally growing that towns like Oldham need strong
further education colleges more than ever and that’s because of the unique
range of people they work with (both adults and young people), the breadth of
their curriculums from beginners to degrees, and their importance to the local
economy and communities.”
“That job isn’t finished yet, here or nationally, but we now have a platform to
play a pivotal role in the economic recovery post-COVID-19.
“Oldham College will be at the forefront of the skills revolution Government
recently announced – addressing training gaps for young people and adults, and
giving everyone the chance to train or retrain with the Key Worker skills
employers will need.
“This year we’re adding new facilities, including a state-of-the-art £9m
Construction Centre where students can learn the building and trade skills of
the future, and we also start delivering the new T Level qualifications in
September 2021.
“That’s why – although this shortlisting was fantastic achievement for all
concerned with Oldham College – I am also certain that our best is yet to
come.”
Oldham College has around 6,500 students and staff across two sites. It has won
other national awards in the past year for its special needs support and its
programme for teaching trainers, as well as positive inspection results for
both its further and higher education provision.
Founded in 1893, it specialises in technical and professional education and
training for hundreds of learners aged 16 and above. It offers an extensive
range of courses, including apprenticeships, and has its own Higher Education
faculty at University Campus Oldham.
