Walsall College (@Walsall_College) has made it through as a finalist in the prestigious AoC Beacon Awards.

The college is in the running for the Edge Award for Excellence in Real World Learning.

Association of Colleges’ Beacon Awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice among UK colleges each year. The award supported by the Edge Foundation seeks to recognise examples of practical teaching and learning that equips people with the skills that today’s global and digital economy demands, through a broad and balanced curriculum, high quality training, engaging real world learning and rich relationships between education and employers.

The college is commended for its Virtual Work Experience Week initiative which has seen 157 industry specialists from over 90 companies work remotely with almost 2,000 students studying courses from the arts, construction, engineering, sport, hospitality, travel and tourism, business and IT.

Jatinder Sharma OBE, Principal and Chief Executive said:

“This is fantastic news for all our students, staff and our many employer partners passionate about supporting the next generation of talent. 

“Becoming award finalists for Excellence in Real World Learning is testament to our ongoing success in this area, as well as our desire to continue developing and expanding our employer-led curriculum.   We look forward to celebrating this achievement and taking our Virtual Work Experience Week initiative to new heights over the coming year.”

Mark White OBE DL, Chair of AoC’s Charitable Trust said:

“The AoC Beacon Awards showcase exactly why colleges are so important to every community and why people value them. This award recognises examples of excellent practical teaching and learning. The work of the finalists shows how important colleges are in providing students with the necessary skills for the real world.”