The South West College has won a top award for its work to promote the importance of STEM subjects among employers and schools.
It was one of three UK Beacon Awards given to the college, including a gold International Green Award for its work in sustainable technologies.
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry used this week’s award ceremony to launch a £6.9 million Employer Support Programme for further education colleges.
He said: “I can confirm that I have secured and approved funding of £6.9 million for a further four years to continue the Employer Support Programme.
“As a result of this additional funding, the further education sector will be able to continue to provide a wide range of support for local employers, through sector-wide initiatives and projects, to encourage businesses to engage with, and embrace innovation and sustainability. Further education colleges will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting employers as key drivers of local and regional economic and workforce development.
“To win these awards, the college has faced stiff competition from right across the UK, and, in the case of the gold International Green Award, from around the entire world.”
Also speaking at the event, Malachy McAleer, director of SWC, said: “The STEM Centre was designed to be a landmark for STEM education in Northern Ireland and we are very proud that our work has been benchmarked against the very best colleges in the UK. This Centre is putting the ‘wow factor’ back into science subjects.”
Lord Willis of Knaresborough, President of the Association of Colleges Beacon Awards Charitable Trust said: “The South West College STEM Centre project encapsulates all that is good about a Further Education college seizing the moment and recognising the huge employment and career opportunities there are in STEM-related industries.”
This funding stream announced will ensure the further education sector has the capacity and expertise to deliver the skilled workforce required for the future in collaboration with the business sector. The fund will also increase the role the further education sector has in supporting economic development and developing entrepreneurship.