STAFF from Heart of Worcestershire College were delighted to have won the College or Post 18 Education and Training award last year.

Stuart Laverick, principal and chief executive, said: “We are delighted to have won this award for our contribution to education in Worcestershire.

“As a college this is something that we are extremely proud of and thankful to have been recognised for.”

Heart of Worcestershire College is the largest further education college in the county offering a wide range of vocational and technical courses alongside an array of apprenticeships and higher education courses.

Hannah Griffiths from the college said: “Heart of Worcestershire College has been nationally recognised for its great impact for Worcestershire learners, time and time again by a number of national bodies. Continuing improvement has seen more students stay and succeed at the college than ever before and at rates higher than national averages, in some areas over 15 per cent higher.

“The very large majority of learners progress on to a range of positive education, employment or training destinations and around two thirds of learners who were studying at level 3 subsequently progress on to higher education.

“More apprentices pass their training than the national average and they do so in record time, meaning they can gain employment to start their career. All this contributes to HoW’s higher and further education students being better equipped and motivated to continue studying or enter work.

“We were delighted to be announced as winners of the award last year. As a college we are extremely proud to have the very large majority of our learners progress on to a range of positive education, employment or training destinations with around two thirds of our learners who were studying at level 3 subsequently progressing on to higher education.

“We’re very thankful to have been recognised for this and for the hard work of both our staff and students.

“Since our award win last year, the college has continued to go from strength to strength, expanding the curriculum and investing in new facilities to help our students reach their full potential. The College was also officially recognised as a ‘good provider’ by Ofsted.

“We would recommend other organisations to enter this year’s awards as it is a fantastic way to recognise the hard-work and efforts made by staff and students every day.”

The deadline for nominations is April 18. Finalists are chosen by a panel of judges and winners are announced during an awards ceremony at the University Arena on June 20. To nominate someone, go to worcesternews.co.uk/awards/worcestershire_education_awards