While Northern Regional College was not judged as an overall category winner on the night, our shortlisting in three categories is indicative of the quality of initiatives being delivered throughout the College.
The categories we were shortlisted for were:
Employer Engagement. Having worked with Caterpillar – the world-renowned American corporation – for the last 15 years to provide training for its Northern Irish workforce, a recent project created a bespoke training programme to enhance the Caterpillar staff’s welding and machining skills.
Caterpillar NI Ltd Factory Manager at Monkstown Heather Walker said: “We are delighted to have received this recognition and it is truly well deserved from our point of view. As Caterpillar NI diversified its product range, a product for the European and global market outside of North America was identified. This product introduction necessitated the need to develop new levels of expertise within our workforce. Northern Regional College created a bespoke training programme to enhance our staff’s welding and machining skills. The success of the partnership between Caterpillar and Northern Regional College in this initiative has impacted directly on our business output throughout our sites in Northern Ireland and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the College in future”.
Support for Learners. The College has worked closely with its Student Council to introduce an on-site Sexual Health Clinic in Ballymena and Newtownabbey, which is also open to the local community.
Dr Tara Farrington, Specialty Doctor in Genitourinary and Contraceptive Services at the Northern Health & Social Care Trust, said: “As the doctor who runs the clinics on the College’s Ballymena and Newtownabbey sites, I am delighted to see our work recognised nationally. This initiative, which encourages students to foster a responsible attitude to sexual health and which can help reduce STI's or unplanned pregnancies, has been a success since its launch and continues to be central to the student support services offered by the College. Team working between the health professionals and College staff is also key and I am very pleased to be part of such a successful project.”
Contribution to the Local Community. A Big Lottery funded project, Living & Learning Together, led by Northern Regional College, has had a major impact on local communities.
Michael McCrory, Manager of Mid Ulster Council’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership said: “Northern Regional College provides an outstanding example of how colleges can make a significant contribution to the local community. During the five years I worked with staff from the College on this Big Lottery funded project, over 28,000 people in the Antrim and Magherafelt areas took part in a range of courses spanning activities for young people, isolated seniors, and support for parents with special needs children, English classes for the migrant community and training for volunteers. The results we have achieved are impressive and I’m pleased that the legacy of this project has led to us launching a new project entitled ‘Empower’ based in the same rural locations”.
Professor Terri Scott, Principal & Chief Executive at Northern Regional College said: “The collaborative programmes delivered by the College and its partner organisations over the years have proved fruitful for all involved. As well as providing training, our staff and students, plus the local communities around our six campuses, have benefitted enormously from all the learning opportunities presented by projects such as these. Being shortlisted for the TES FE Awards is a fitting recognition of the dedication and effort of all involved and I congratulate everyone involved on their success.”
