Write a commentDr Stephen Farry, Minister for Employment and Learning yesterday visited the SRC in Newry to present the College's Community team with a coveted “Further Education Oscar”, for Widening Participation to Lifelong Learning.
The team won this for their innovative approach to working with members of the local travelling community and migrant workers to help them re-engage with education.
Staff, students and invited guests came together to celebrate the Southern Regional College’s achievement of the prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Award for Widening Participation to Lifelong Learning (sponsored by Pearson Education). Mr Andrew Saunders, Chair of the Governing Body was presented with the award, by Lord Willis, President of the AoC Charitable Trust, at the AoC Beacon Awards National Presentation Ceremony in Westminster in February. Today the College hosted a local celebration event for project participants, community partners, local councillors MPs and invited guests.
Southern Regional College received the award in recognition of its ‘Transforming Learning Communities’ (TLC) project, which actively encourages migrant workers and adults within the traveller community to re-engage in education and training. Working in the heart of local communities in Newry and South Armagh by teaming up with Saint Vincent de Paul, Orana Family Centre, Ballybot House, WALD Centre Cullyhanna, Crushan Munya Travellers Group Bessbrook, Newry Parish Centre and The Old Convent Mayobridge.
The judging panel commended the College for its clear strategic commitment to disadvantaged communities and in identifying learning needs. It was also recognised that the partnership with a number of voluntary groups was key to the success of the project. It was also acknowledged that the project met the social, personal and learning needs of the students and that the guidance and support provided by College staff provided the basis for continued engagement and engagement in further education.
At the London event the Chair of the AoC Beacon Awards, Dame Pat Bacon, commended the College’s TLC project as a fantastic example of the ways in which colleges of further education are demonstrating how thoroughly they understand and respond to the needs of their learners, wider communities and employers.
Dr Stephen Farry, Minister for the Department of Employment and Learning who was guest of honour at the local celebration event said: “The Southern Regional College Transforming Learning Communities project has been successful in re-connecting adult learners with education, removing barriers to learning and making the college accessible to sections of our community, who are amongst the most marginalised.
“I commend the College on the prestigious achievement of this Beacon Award for Widening Participation accolade which is aligned to my Department’s Widening Participation strategy and recognises the commitment from the college and partner organisations to promote equality of access to education provision.”
Fiona Callaghan, NI Manager Pearson “We are delighted to have the opportunity to sponsor this award for lifelong learning. The work that FE Colleges do to support people of all ages with their learning ambitions is critical to their communities and the country as a whole. All the entries showcased transformational programmes that are making a real difference to the opportunities available for adult learners and particular congratulations to Southern Regional College who are well deserved winners”
Brian Doran, SRC Chief Executive, said: “Southern Regional College is delighted to receive the prestigious Beacon Award for Widening Participation to Lifelong Learning for our ‘Transforming Learning Communities’ programme. Without funding provided by the Big Lottery for the TLC Project and award sponsor Pearson’s who recognise the importance of learning at every age, this celebration and ongoing work within our local migrant and travelling communities would not be possible. It is great to see the difference community projects such as these can make in raising the self esteem and confidence of participants and the encouragement that they take from the re-engagement in further education and training.”
If you would like to find out more about the Transforming Learning Communities Project and the courses available such as pre-ESOL* and pre-Essential Skills please contact Caroline Coleman on 0845 604 0033 or email colemanc@src.ac.uk
