Digital training to future-proof staff and learner skills earns TEC Partnership 2021 Beacon Award
TEC Partnership has won the Jisc-sponsored Association of Colleges’ (AoC) Beacon Award for effective use of technology in further education.
Now in its 26th year, the awards highlight best practice and innovation, and promote the interdependence of colleges, businesses and professional and voluntary organisations.
One of the largest college groups in the UK, TEC Partnership provides 1,200 staff and 25,000 learners with extensive digital training to help give them the skills to thrive now and in years to come.
Jisc’s head of FE and skills, Paul McKean, who’s also a Beacon Award judge, said:
“The standard of entries for this year’s award for effective use of technology was particularly high, but the winning college has for years been a leading light in the sector for digital practice.
“TEC Partnership has demonstrated a joined-up approach to preparing its 25,000 learners with the skills and knowledge they’ll need to meet the demands of the fourth industrial revolution.
"Representing a culture shift for the entire organisation, everyone has bought into the vision, which encompasses a future-proofed curriculum and comprehensive access to training and skills development for all staff.
“Innovation is a constant, which can also be a challenge, but senior managers are leading by example to affect change. They make sure that technology is used and developed to enhance opportunities for learners, so that they are prepared for jobs now and in the future.
"The proof of success is that learner outcomes are among the highest in the country and have remained so throughout the pandemic.”
Mark White, interim chair of AoC’s charitable trust, said:
“The Beacon Awards showcase exactly why colleges are so important to every community and why people value them. This award celebrates an outstanding example of the use of technology and the work of the winning college goes above and beyond.”
Devon-based Petroc College has been highly commended for its work in developing a free app for colleges to manage COVID-19 outbreaks.
The college worked in partnership with the University of Exeter, AoC members and City and Guilds to create a data-modelling tool to predict infection rates and the impact of quarantine on staff and learners. As a result, colleges have been able to make informed decisions about their COVID-safe operations and adaptations.
Jisc supports colleges with digital innovation. There’s more information on our further education and skills pages.