| Telford College Honoured with a Queen's Award |
| Friday, 14 December 2007 15:10 |
 Shropshire's high-flying Telford College of Arts and Technology has been honoured with a prestigious Queen's Award for "delivering economically important skills on employers' premises." The official announcement that Telford College was a prize winner in the seventh round of the Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education, was made at an evening reception held at St James's Palace on Thursday 15 November 2007. Telford College has developed a national reputation for excellence over a number of years. One of only a small number of FE Colleges nationally to be judged "outstanding" in all areas by OFSTED, the college has already received government recognition as a "Learning and Skills Beacon" and has won more awards for the quality of its provision than any other college in the UK. Despite the many honours already bestowed upon Telford College, Principal Doug Boynton OBE said today: "All these accolades seem to pale into insignificance compared to the recognition from HM the Queen, with the announcement that the college is to receive The Queen's Anniversary Award for Higher and Further Education." "Coming as it does, from the Queen, this is the most prestigious award that any university or college can receive and it firmly places the college as a world class provider. The college and all its governors, staff, students and partners are justifiably proud of this achievement." Through its Commercial Development and Training (CDT) arm, and utilising a unique provision developed over 17 years, Telford College now plays a major part in up-skilling the workforce in more than 800 companies nationwide. Under the banner of Telford College, CDT is a dedicated provision set up solely to support businesses on their own sites and to help them achieve their full potential. A plethora of experience enables CDT to adapt and change its services to meet with the ever changing needs of industry. Since its inception CDT has skilled, trained and qualified more than 51,000 employees, making a significant impact on the success of the businesses in which they work. As a result of the college's work Mr Boynton says: "The economic benefits to both the local, regional and national communities have been immense and this is recognised in the award." Following an evening celebratory banquet at the Guildhall, Mr Boynton, will receive the award from The Queen at Buckingham Palace on the morning of February 14th. He will be accompanied by Chairman of Governors Mike Lowe CBE, DL Ann Griffiths, Vice Principal of Telford College Commercial Development & Training, a number of senior staff and five students who will have the opportunity and thrill of a lifetime to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Ms Griffiths said today: "I feel this most prestigious award has recognised the strong and vital links that have been forged with not only our local industries but large and small businesses nationally. It also recognises the commitment of industry to engage and invest in training to help sustain and make viable their business in a difficult global market." Acknowledging the part played by her colleagues in achieving the award, Ms Griffiths said: "I feel so proud to head a team whose skills, dedication and expertise have been recognised for this outstanding world class service to industry." News from TCAT - Improving business by developing skills Bespoke vocational learning, skills development and workplace training courses. |
