Do you know someone so dedicated to their job that they would miss their own birthday party? A person so skilled at college leadership that their talents are in demand across the entire world?
Or maybe you have been running a trailblazing scheme that keeps tricky teenagers on track with their studies?
All of these achievements and more could be heartily rewarded, as the nominations have opened for the 2017 TES FE Awards, which will celebrate excellence in the further education and skills sector across the UK.
The awards shine a light on the very best colleges, training providers, lecturers and leaders in FE and outstanding individuals and institutions from across Scotland are invited to enter.
This year, there are a total of 16 categories to choose from, ranging from an award for lifetime achievement to outstanding use of technology and the best teaching and learning initiative (see box, below).
Star-studded ceremony
In light of the ongoing transformation in the sector across the UK, this year also sees the launch of two brand new categories - professional services team of the year and assessor of the year. Prizes will be awarded at a ceremony in London’s Park Lane in February next year.
At the 2016 TES FE Awards, Forth Valley College won the prize for the Best Learning and Teaching Initiative.
Overall, colleges north of the border secured 10 nominations in 2016, with Edinburgh and Forth Valley College nominated in three categories each, Dundee and Angus College shortlisted in two categories, and Ayrshire College also shortlisted.
Stewart McKillop, the principal of South Lanarkshire College, was nominated for FE leader of the year - a category won the previous year by West Lothian College principal Mhairi Harrington.
‘National recognition’
Forth Valley College principal Ken Thomson told TESS the awards were an opportunity to broaden the reach of his institution beyond the borders of Scotland. “The event was fantastic. We took 10 staff to London and they still talk about it. It was also a great opportunity to network and to meet colleagues at colleges from all over the UK. We are definitely going to enter again.”
He added: “At the TES FE awards, we are going up against 400 colleges from across the UK, and we won. The scheme we entered was a new strategy, so this was national recognition that what we are doing is great. The award is a great accolade, and one that we use with our partners. This is about positioning our college at a UK level.”
Annette Bruton, principal of Edinburgh College, said of the TES FE Awards: “Further education is about providing opportunities to people and supporting them to fulfil their ambitions, and there are so many hardworking people that deserve to be recognised for their dedication, enthusiasm and efforts towards making a real difference to students and their communities.
“I urge Scottish colleges to take this opportunity to shout about their achievements and enter the TES Further Education awards, which do fantastic work in celebrating all that’s good about our sector and the impact colleges have on people’s lives.”
