We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our remarkable accomplishments were celebrated today as we were awarded the prestigious BTEC Award for College of the Year 2022.
Winning this award is such a proud moment for us! It highlights how well our students succeed and it is also testament to the hard work and commitment of our staff, our partnerships with employers and our links with industry which all contribute to providing our students with a phenomenal college experience. Preparing our students to go on to great things, be that progressing onto the next level of their chosen course, going onto an apprenticeship, into higher education or out to the workplace, is at the heart of what we do at HCUC.
Here’s what Pearson said about us when they judged us to be the worthy winner of the College of the Year Award….
With approximately 10,000 students under its responsibility across four campuses in Harrow and Hillingdon, the college group is one of the largest in North-West London. However, its teachers, students and everyone associated at the college didn’t let quantity come at the cost of quality.
Ninety-one per cent of the college’s 2,300 BTEC learners passed their qualifications, with 30% achieving high grades. This is thanks in large part to the tireless staff all of whom were enormously ambitious for their pupils to succeed. HCUC is creating a pipeline of proud, prepared, and confident students into industry and higher education. Such is the positive affect it has on its learners that 96% of the ones that take BTECs achieve a positive destination to higher level of study or employment.
Learners at HCUC are spoilt for choice when it comes to content, apprenticeship and experience opportunities, The college group has close ties with TfL, Heathrow, Mars, NatWest and Thames Water just to name a few.
The college’s state-of-the-art facilities also wowed the judges. All relevant learners have access to turbines, simulator Aircraft Cabin, 3D modelling tools, high end laboratories and a range of ‘care suites’, meaning they are set up for success the moment they walk through the door.
It wasn’t just their physical infrastructure that set them apart from other entries, but the emotional support they provide pupils, too. The college group’s track record in helping vulnerable pupils – be they those affected by domestic violence or with acute mental health needs – receive exceptional support from teachers and the rest of the staff.
Suba Dickerson, Assistant Principal, HCUC, said “Preparing our nomination absolutely highlighted how much we feel we have to offer here at HCUC, and I am extremely proud we have been honoured in these awards. This prestigious award is testament to the hard work and brilliance of our staff and incredible students. The commitment of our industry employers and community partners cannot be underestimated in having made it possible. BTEC qualifications are a fantastic option to really support our learners to achieve and progress, and we look forward to continuing to work together with Pearson in this way, to build on this valuable and meaningful partnership which supports excellence at every turn.”
Freya Thomas Monk, Senior Vice President for Vocational Qualifications and Training at Pearson, said: “After two long years spent giving and receiving lessons behind a computer screen, through face masks, or socially distanced, 2022 has been a whirlwind for everyone involved in education. Considering this, it makes the inspiring achievements documented in HCUC’s submission all the more impressive. The hard work and commitment its teachers, learners and everyone associated with it have demonstrated is extraordinary, and I am proud we were able to celebrate them through this year’s set of Awards.”
Twenty award winners won prizes in categories including Health and Social Care, Engineering, Music, Esports and Creative Media, each selected from thousands – and often tens of thousands – of eligible students.
Hundreds of thousands of learners across the globe have completed BTEC courses over the past year. The career-focused qualifications are a vital route for those pursuing careers in sectors such as IT, business, the creative industries, healthcare, engineering, construction and future industries. Many of these industries, such as health and social care, engineering, and IT and computing, are suffering from chronic staff shortages and skills gaps, which this year’s cohort of graduates – whether they were Award winners or not – will be more than equipped to fill.
Visit btec.co.uk/awards for the full list of BTEC Awards winners.