Aspire to HE: National Collaborative Outreach Programme Administrator

Telford College has been created from the merger of two further education sites in the town to bring both academic and vocational courses together onto one thriving site.

The mission is simple: to be the local college of choice, whether you’re a school leaver looking to go to university or start a career, an adult developing their skills, or a business wanting to grow.

We have reshaped our curriculum to meet the needs of the business community in an area known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, working in partnership with some of the area’s biggest companies.

Huge investment in university-standard facilities means we now offer courses which pave the way for careers in more than 70 different industries.

For example, we have expanded our engineering and construction programmes to help tackle a skills shortage, and our construction apprenticeships programme has achieved a national award.

We are also about to launch new courses, backed by the Aviation Skills Partnership, to meet an urgent need for skilled engineers in the aviation industry – the forerunner of a fully-fledged Shropshire ‘aviation academy’.

Our new virtual and augmented reality suite makes us one of the leading colleges in the country for developing skills in this exciting and dynamic hi-tech sector. The chief executive of the Education & Training Foundation said he was ‘blown away’ by the VR facilities when he visited earlier this year.

But cutting-edge technology is no good unless students are also equipped with the basics, and that’s why we are proud to see our Maths and English results improving year-on-year.

Following its most recent monitoring report, education watchdog Ofsted reported ‘significant’ progress in English and Maths teaching across all course areas, as well as progress in ensuring that the curriculum tackles skills gaps in the local economy, and meets the needs of local employers.

One of our major innovations since the merger is the launch of a 7th Form – the first of its kind, blending wide ranging traditional A level courses taught by specialist teacher from a variety of backgrounds, with direct links not just to universities, but crucially to industry mentors from local companies where students will gain advice and support to achieve their career ambitions.

It means students get to hear first-hand from the people who have been there and done it, and understand the type of person they need to be to make it in their chosen career.

The chairman of the Football Association, Greg Clarke, has this year thrown his support behind ambitious plans to build a £1.6 million centre of excellence here at the college.

Shropshire FA is currently working in partnership with us to create a facility which is hoped to become a mini version of the national football training base at St George’s Park.

The plans include grass pitches at the entrance, a second full-sized outdoor 3G pitch, an indoor half-sized 3G pitch in our indoor sports dome, tailor-made indoor futsal facilities and an education block, specifically for football development.

From construction to catering, sport to science, art to apprenticeships, and much more besides, our team recognise the importance of delivering consistently outstanding teaching and learning, and motivating students to be the best they can possibly be.

With tutors who have experience at the highest levels of business, we are acutely aware of the value of giving students the sort of practical, relevant skills which are in step with the needs of the local economy.

There have never been so many opportunities for students, and Telford College is excited to be meeting their needs in these dynamic and changing times.