Hartlepool College named among the country ’ s elite
EDUCATION
Success – Assistant principal Gary Riches with award-winning Hartlepool College apprentices Sam Casey and Ebony Whittingham .
Top of the class
WORDS : PAUL FRASER PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH
Hartlepool College named among the country ’ s elite
Hartlepool College of Further Education has been recognised as one of England ’ s elite expert apprenticeship providers by the Department for Education after an inaugural 12-month pilot scheme .
The recognition is the latest to acknowledge the high standards set by the college across its apprentice provision .
As well as being only one of three colleges in the country to be rated by Ofsted as outstanding for apprenticeships , the grade was retained across back-toback inspections through two different frameworks , which may mean the college is the first to achieve this .
Hartlepool College is the only college north of London to have received such a top-class rating .
Now the Department for Education has moved to highlight the excellence and high standards being achieved by a college celebrating its 175th year of transforming people ’ s lives on Stockton Street in the centre of town .
To be one of just 13 colleges nationwide to be given “ expert ” status is a powerful testament to the commitment to deliver exceptional programmes .
Gary Riches , assistant principal , said : “ This acknowledgement is monumental for the college .
“ Our collaboration with employer partners has always been centred around offering apprenticeship courses that go beyond just skills – they bring tangible changes to workplaces and play a pivotal role in succession planning for local businesses .
“ Being labelled an ‘ expert apprenticeship provider ’ adds another feather in our cap , especially following our outstanding grade from a recent Ofsted review .
“ This accomplishment stems from the unwavering support of our dedicated employers , the relentless efforts of our apprentices and the passionate team at Hartlepool College .”
This prestigious mark of excellence was introduced by the Department for Education to highlight institutions that lead by example , showcasing exemplary performance in the apprenticeship sector .
The 13-strong list features a blend of six independent trainers , five colleges of further education and two institutions of higher education .
And coupled with the college ’ s impressively high apprenticeship achievement rates and its excellent employer feedback , there is a desire to keep building on the high standards as it delivers more than 70 apprenticeship standards .
They are in sectors such as engineering , construction and the built environment , professional services , health and social care , education and early years , ICT and digital , travel and tourism , hospitality and catering and hair and beauty .
Gary added : “ I am a product of the apprenticeship programme here at Hartlepool College myself because I was an electrical engineering apprentice in the early 2000s .
“ Apprenticeships are in my heart . I want to do all I can do to make sure the next generation of apprentices are getting the
For further information about Hartlepool College check out hartlepoolfe . ac . uk
best apprenticeship training possible .
“ At Hartlepool College I can safely say that is happening and we pride ourselves on working closely with employers to meet their needs .”
The college ’ s apprentice programme regularly produces national award-winners . This year Sam Casey , an apprentice at Gestamp Tallent and a student at the college , received the Worshipful Company of Needlemakers Prize at the City of Guilds of London Institute Livery Company Prizes for his exceptional talent and hard work in the field of toolmaking .
Sam is studying a HNC in mechanical engineering and part of his tool and die maintenance engineering apprenticeship .
In April , Ebony Whittingham , an apprentice at Made by Mariella and a student at Hartlepool College , received the Regional HBA Apprentice of the Year and then went on to achieve National HBA Apprentice of the Year at an awards ceremony in Birmingham .
She was recognised for her exceptional talent and hard work in the field of beauty therapy and nail enhancements / nail artistry . Ebony is currently studying a Level 2 Diploma for beauty professionals ’ apprenticeship .
Gary said : “ The success stories of Sam and Ebony are merely two examples of the incredible achievements our apprentices achieve as they develop at college and with our employer-partners .
“ Over the years we have had other national award-winners , and we look forward to producing more in the future too .”
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