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Gorseinon College is celebrating after receiving an Association of Colleges’ Beacon Award for its Knowledge Transfer Partnership, which has helped create 100 local jobs, at a presentation ceremony in Westminster, London on 10th February.
Gorseinon College was presented with the Welsh Assembly Government Award for College Engagement with Employers by Kevin Brennan MP, Minister of State for Further Education. The Award recognises best practice in meeting the needs of employers.
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership is a three-way alliance between an employer with a particular strategic project, the College (or knowledge partner) and a recently qualified student (or associate). The associate is employed by the College to work with the employer to help them deliver their project.
The student benefits from opportunities to develop personally and academically, as well as gaining commercial and industrial experience. The employer gains from the knowledge transfer facilitated by the College.
More than 100 jobs have been created in companies involved and they have benefited though increased profits at an average of £100k per company. The College also benefits from the on-going professional development of staff who gain access to current industry practices to inform their teaching.
Further Education Minister Kevin Brennan said: “The AoC Beacon Awards celebrate the greatest successes of the Further Education sector in responding to the needs of students, local businesses and the communities they serve. Colleges are vital to giving people the skills and qualifications they need and play an important role in creating partnerships with employers. It is right that these institutions are recognised for their hard work.”
Nick Bennett, Principal of Gorseinon College, explained: "This award is national recognition for our work with employers throughout South Wales. Gorseinon College has built a reputation as one of the leading providers of KTP in the UK. More than 100 jobs have been created in the companies involved and the College has also benefitted through the development of expert knowledge transfer skills in many of our teaching staff, who gain access to current industry practices.”
The UK-wide Beacon Awards provide national recognition for excellence and innovation as well as acknowledging the talents of staff at all levels. They highlight the breadth and quality of education in the College sector.
Chair of the AoC Beacon Awards, Dame Patricia Morgan-Webb said: “Beacon winners blaze a trail in finding new ways of doing things; they contribute to social justice and are instrumental in local economic and social re-generation, which is essential during these turbulent times. Whilst the winners this year are located all across the UK, what they all share are the key traits of innovation, creativity, responsiveness and a collaborative approach. I am delighted on behalf of the AoC Charitable Trust to reward the contribution that these Colleges make; they are the pillars of our communities.”
A local celebration will be held at Gorseinon College at the beginning of March.
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