BRIDGWATER & Taunton College (BTC) have been honoured with a prestigious award.

The college has won an Association of Colleges Award which recognises high-quality technical and professional education and training excellence - highlighting the best and most innovative practice across the UK.

David Hughes, chief executive of Association of College, said: "The AoC Beacon Awards showcase exactly why colleges are so important to every community and why people value them.

"The award recognises the very best collaboration, support and education and training that is delivered by expert teaching staff.

"The work of the winning and highly commended colleges and their partnerships show how vital colleges are to the equipping the future workforce and their local and regional communities.”

BTC received the City and Guilds Award for College Engagement with Employers from Julia Belgutay, head of further education at Tes, at a celebration event at the virtual AoC Annual Conference.

In 15 years, the college has progressed from being a land-based college to the management of substantial national apprenticeship contracts in Water Environment Worker (WEW) for key sector organisations such as the Environment Agency (EA), National Trust and the Canal and River Trust.

BTC's delivery of the apprenticeship contracts to new employer partners has been so successful that the apprenticeship is now built into the EA’s recruitment strategy, with three cohorts planned each year.

Principal and CEO of BTC, Andy Berry, said, “It is incredible to be recognised for our engagement with employers.

"The focus on the creation of employer partnerships means we can focus on creating solutions to fill industry specific skills shortages and enable companies to develop the skills they need to grow.”

To respond to the EA’s workforce needs, the college has implemented digital training materials that not only respond to the EA’s wider aims of reducing their carbon footprint and minimising travel, but also address a combination of apprentices’ incident response commitments, home life obligations and Coronavirus lock down restrictions.

The apprenticeship is entirely employer driven, providing an effective response to the EA’s need to create a workforce that is competent, safe and fully trained to recognised industry standards, whilst also aligning fully with regional and LEP priorities for productivity and growth.

Rachel Jacobs, operations manager at the Environment Agency said, “Since the introduction of the Water Environment Worker Apprenticeship in February 2020 Bridgwater & Taunton College have provided exemplary course management and support for our Environment Agency apprentices.

"Each learner is supported by a Training Assessor who understands their needs as individuals, providing additional support if required.

"This helps ensure inclusivity and creates a positive learning environment for our employees.”