Fareham College is in the running to become Further Education (FE) College of the Year after the Times Educational Supplement (TES Global) published its shortlist for this prestigious national award.

Recognition of Fareham College’s achievements are coming thick and fast at the moment following news that the college was awarded an ‘outstanding’ status at a recent Ofsted inspection in October. Fareham College is now one of only four FE colleges in the country to have converted to the top grade in the last two years.

Fareham College’s Principal, Nigel Duncan, commented:

“We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this award which is testament to the hard work, commitment and talent of all our staff at the College. We are also very proud of our students’ accomplishments. I believe we have created a very special learning environment which is benefitting our whole community.”

MP for Fareham, Suella Fernandes MP, added:

“Fareham College is a great champion of technical and professional training and apprenticeships. It is doing brilliant work to support the next generation of skilled young people in our area. The College’s ‘outstanding’ Ofsted inspection really reflects the innovative leadership of Nigel Duncan and his management team as well as the staff and students who work so hard.”

Fareham College is one of only eight colleges across the United Kingdom that has been nominated for the TES FE College of the Year award. The College currently teaches over 1,500 full-time learners, 1,000 part-time or adult learners and a further 1,000 apprentices.

Student employment prospects at Fareham College are exemplary, with 98% of students and apprentices, of all ages, progressing to positive destinations that include employment, apprenticeships or further study.

The College is highly regarded for its technical training and comprises a new Centre of Excellence in Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training (CEMAST). The commercial value of this facility is reflected in the partnerships that exist between the College and major companies such as BAE Systems, GE Aviation, Virgin Atlantic, Coopervision, Burgess Marine and Jensen Motorsport. The recent Ofsted inspection stated that at CEMAST ‘apprentices benefit from excellent, high quality resources that exceed industry requirements’.

Fareham College Deputy Principal, Andrew Kaye, said:

“It is great that the enormous effort that has been put in over a number of years by staff and students alike is now being recognised and that Fareham is competing with the very best colleges from across the country. There is no room for complacency though and we will continue to press ahead with our plans to make Fareham College even better in the future.”

The winners of FE College of the Year will be revealed on Friday 23rd February in 2018 at the Grosvenor House Hotel.