Two Programmes Singled out for Praise by Mark Haysom from the LSC

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The awards for Further Education Colleges (the Beacon Awards) announced at the Association of Colleges (AoC) Conference have been welcomed by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

The awards highlight the excellence of the work done in different areas of the FE sector, and at the conference were welcomed by former ITN Broadcaster Michael Brunson, the Education Secretary Ruth Kelly MP, and Dr. John Brennan, Chief Executive of the AoC. The mission of the LSC is to improve the skills of England’s young people and adults to world class standards, and these awards recognise the progress being made within FE.

Employer Engagement Vital

The two colleges singled out for particular praise are Bridgwater College in Somerset and Blackpool and the Fylde College in Lancashire, the two winners of two LSC – sponsored Awards. One of these, given to Bridgewater College, recognised College Engagement with Employers, and the other ““ awarded to Blackpool and the Fylde College – for Equality and Diversity.

The award for employer engagement recognises the work done by the business development unit. The unit delivers responsive training, work-based learning and access to high-quality resources. The College’s entry highlighted a number of positive achievements, including the college’s ongoing commitment to employer engagement. Blackpool and the Fylde College’s award was thanks to its wide range of initiatives addressing a range of equality and diversity issues, from the under achievement of young men and homophobia to establishing practices for staff development.

Mark Haysom Speaks of College Achievment

At the AoC Conference, the LSC’s Chief Executive, Mark Haysom, praised the Beacon Awards, saying: “The LSC’s vision is of a network of colleges that put learners and employers first and operate as the nerve centre of the skills agenda. These Beacon Awards are a welcome recognition of the innovation and imagination that are helping to achieve these goals in colleges around the country.”

He went on to point out the specific benefits of the LSC awards, saying: “The LSC-sponsored awards highlight exemplary practice in two areas that are at the heart of our ambitions for the transformation of FE sector. Encouraging greater engagement with employers will create colleges valued by employers as the partner of choice for developing the skills they, and the economy, need. And the LSC’s twin aims of improving productivity and promoting social inclusion cannot be achieved without working with colleges to promote and value equality and diversity.”

Jethro Marsh

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