Students and staff at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College are celebrating after achieving two prestigious awards for their work in supporting students’ skills development and career planning.
QE is one of only four colleges nationally to receive the Skills Builder Gold Award which was given in recognition of the College’s clear commitment to helping students prepare for the world of work. According to the Skills Builder Partnership, the Gold Award is reserved for “incredible examples of schools and colleges who have ensured that building essential skills becomes a normal part of a good education.”
Emma Hurry, QE’s Job Coach, said “I am so pleased that we have received this award which reflects the hard work students have put into developing their employability skills over the last year. Judges were particularly impressed with the way in which all teachers and tutors have supported students so it’s a huge achievement for staff too.”
Meanwhile, the College has also been awarded the Quality in Careers Standard, the only national award for careers guidance in schools and colleges and the highest accolade that can be given for excellence in this important area of College work. The award was given to the College at the highest possible grade and assessors described it as “an excellent achievement which recognises the quality and breadth of your careers provision.” Rachael Duff, the College’s Careers Leader, said “We are delighted to have this official endorsement of the work that goes into helping students make informed decisions about their futures.”
Reflecting on both awards, Meirion Baker, Assistant Principal, commented, “As a College we want to help students prepare for the next stage of their lives, whatever that may be. We recognise that young people need not only great qualifications but also the skills and experiences which give them an edge when applying for jobs. These awards prove that we understand the skills and qualities that employers and universities are looking for and that we know how to help students achieve them.”
