College leads the way for budding scientists, engineers and technicians
New College Telford has been awarded a prestigious quality mark for its courses for students working towards a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) related industries.
The College is the first in Shropshire, and one of only 22 out of more than 400 colleges in the UK, to have achieved the NEF ‘STEM Assured’ quality mark, which assesses how closely their courses match the needs of employers in the sector, and how well they promote innovation and evaluate the impact of their courses.
Fiona O’Brien, Acting Principal Designate at New College Telford, said: “We are delighted to be recognised for the college’s strengths in STEM subjects through this quality mark, which all the team here have worked hard to achieve. Our bright and ambitious students want to become the leading engineers, scientists, IT and finance professionals that are much needed in the UK economy and worldwide.”
She added: "As one of the leading sixth form colleges in the Midlands, we are committed to offering the very best teaching, facilities and resources to deliver the skills that are in demand by the students and their future employers. The STEM Assured process has helped us to reaffirm our approach to strategic investment and shaped future curriculum planning.”
Ian Rees, Commercial & Finance Director at Quorum Logistic Support in Hadley, Telford, was one of the local companies involved in the assessment. He said: "As an employer seeking highly trained employees, it can sometimes be frustrating to witness the lack of relevant skills that young people enter the workplace with. New College Telford should, therefore, be celebrated for its commitment to this area of the curriculum, and for its recognition that facilities for teaching STEM subjects need to be absolutely top rate."
Prof Sa’ad Medhat, CEO of the NEF Institute, said: “The College’s ambitious initiatives to change the landscape of STEM in the region are clearly demonstrable and are worthy of recognition. By gaining STEM Assured, the College has set a clear benchmark for investing in and supporting the development of STEM sector occupations.
The college’s £2.7 million 'STEM' Centre and Learning Resource Centre was opened by Skills Minister Matthew Hancock last year and is equipped with the high technology learning technology resources and industry-standard science labs. The centre is the only one of its kind within Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and this means that the college is able to support increased demand for Advanced Level Maths and other 'STEM' subjects, providing employers with a talent pool to draw from and enabling students to obtain the higher level academic, vocational and technical skills they need for employment or university.
