Best in the country for Training Quality excellence

West Suffolk College is the first training provider in the country to achieve the Training Quality Standard (TQS) for excellence in seven areas of provision: Construction, Engineering, Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism, Management and Leadership, Health Care, Social Care and Children and Young People’s Workforce Development.

The College had already achieved the TQS in Construction and Engineering and has recently been accredited in five further areas of excellence.

West Suffolk College is the first training provider in the country to achieve the Training Quality Standard (TQS) for excellence in seven areas of provision: Construction, Engineering, Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism, Management and Leadership, Health Care, Social Care and Children and Young People’s Workforce Development.

The College had already achieved the TQS in Construction and Engineering and has recently been accredited in five further areas of excellence.

Martyn Wagner, Vice Principal Business and Student Services, said: "We are delighted that West Suffolk College has gained the TQS standard in seven areas, all of which are priority sectors for the locality and wider region. Employer Engagement is central to the College’s strategy and offer.

"The TQS provided us with an additional focus and we have used it to ensure that we have a consistent approach across all our employer provision. The TQS built on work we had done previously in ensuring we met other quality standards.

"TQS is the most challenging kitemark that we have worked towards. We have introduced a dedicated Charter for Employers which is effectively our promise to them. It sets out what we will do, what course delegates can expect and what to do if we fail to meet their expectations."

West Suffolk College principal Dr Ann Williams said: "No other organisation has achieved seven accreditations. This is a fantastic achievement for the College. I would like to thank all those staff involved in this for undertaking what was a challenging additional task last year, and congratulate Vice Principal Martyn Wagner and Head of Business Development Elizabeth Bray for their leadership."

Martyn Wagner said: "This is a tremendous achievement which reflects the hard work and dedication shown by all the teams over a sustained period of time. We would like to thank all our employers and partners for their support."

Judith Mobbs, Area Director for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Suffolk, said: "I would like to congratulate West Suffolk College for being recognised as the highest achieving training provider in the country. Obtaining not just one, but seven TQS accreditations is an impressive achievement.

"It demonstrates the consistent high quality support offered to employers and the excellent training provided by the College. I look forward to more providers in Suffolk working to achieve the accreditation."

The Training Quality Standard certification system was designed to recognise and celebrate organisations which deliver the best training and development solutions to employers.

It highlights excellence in the two areas most important to employers: responsiveness to employer needs and excellence in a particular vocational area.

The Training Quality Standard was developed by employers, and the criteria for achieving the standard reflects an ability to deliver the qualifications that employers actually want.