PRESS RELEASE

The unique partnership between the city's college and Flybe, Europe's largest regional airline, has won a major national education accolade with the announcement that its aerospace engineering training has been awarded a prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Award for Practical Teaching and Practical Learning. The College was announced as winner of the award, sponsored by Edge, by John Hayes MP, Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning at the AoC Annual Conference in Birmingham on 15 November.

The award recognises the exacting programme of technical training in aerospace engineering, set to the requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority that has been designed by Exeter College as part of its pioneering partnership with Flybe. The partnership, launched in 2007, secured Exeter College as lead academic partner for Flybe's commitment to increase the numbers of licensed aerospace engineers, and to invest in workforce training across all sectors of their industry. Flybe engineering students receive training through Exeter College's engineering specialists spending time in the college's workshops and now within the state of the art Flybe Training Academy opened in 2011.

The four year, full-time course was recognised in the award as challenging and stretching students in a real work environment with trainee engineers learning from highly experienced practitioners in the industry. The partnership with Flybe ensures that theoretical study is supported by real accident and incident information and practical workshop sessions use aircraft parts and components to ensure industry-standard technical skills and competence. The first Flybe Aerospace Engineering ‘graduates' are due to finish in July 2012, keenly taking up their offers of employment at Flybe.

The partnership has been recognised as being successful not just nationally but also locally with introductory engineering groups being launched in local schools for 14 – 16 year olds who are keen to develop their practical and engineering skills in preparation for applying to the prestigious Exeter College Flybe Engineering Academy at 16.

Richard Atkins, Principal said, on receiving the Beacon Award from the Minister, “We're very proud of this award since it evidences not only the strong relationship we have with Flybe but also the commitment we have to ensure the college's courses meet the needs of our students and also the ever changing demands of industry. Exeter College's role is to ensure all students are equipped with the skills and knowledge to successfully progress into their chosen career and our partnerships with local, regional and national employers are helping us to train the high quality experts of the future. We are delighted that this ground-breaking partnership with Flybe, that has developed such high quality engineering training for our future aerospace engineers, has now gained this national recognition. We will be celebrating this award with all those who have been involved across the two organisations. “

Andrew Rosser, Director of the Flybe Training Academy added: “Partnership is at the heart of so much of what Flybe does and our work with Exeter College to train the aerospace engineers of the future is a fantastic example of joint-working between private industry and education. To be able to offer a world-class course here in the South West is a marvellous achievement and we look forward to many more years of success.”

Jan Hodges, CEO of Edge and sponsor of the award, said: “Edge has sponsored an AoC Beacon Award for several years. Edge is dedicated to raising the status of technical, practical and vocational learning and is proud to be associated with an award that recognizes excellence in practical teaching and learning.

“The Exeter College initiative provides a highly regarded pathway into employment in the aerospace engineering sector. The Flybe Diploma in Engineering combines practical and theoretical elements in a course that equips students to become licensed aircraft engineers. I congratulate them on their Award and hope they continue to lead the way for other Colleges across the UK.”

Roger Marriott, AoC Beacon Awards Chief Assessor, said: “I am consistently impressed by the excellent quality of the work that colleges are producing; their efforts provide exemplary support for learning to a wide range of students across the UK.

“The sector's commitment to addressing the needs of students and the high standards of work displayed by colleges during our assessment visits was outstanding. Through this award programme the AoC is highlighting best practice, innovative development and continuous improvement; it is a showcase for Beacon colleges that others can look to for help, inspiration and encouragement.”

Chair of the AoC Beacon Awards, Dame Patricia Morgan-Webb, said: “These awards serve to highlight and celebrate the achievements of colleges and the impact they have on the lives of students, their families and the wider college communities.

“As Chair of the National Steering Group it is a privilege each year to be among the first people to learn about the new and creative ways in which colleges are meeting the challenges of this tough economic climate through responsive collaborative approaches to engaging with students and developing the curriculum to meet the needs of individuals and businesses alike; all of which are underpinned by strong and supportive leadership and management.

“I should like to congratulate all of this year's winning colleges and encourage them to really make the most of this opportunity to celebrate their achievements and invigorate the sector as a whole through the dissemination of their outstanding teaching and learning practices.”
The AoC Beacon Awards are now in their 18th year and are awarded each year to UK colleges who capture and celebrate the positive impact they have on their students, staff and communities.

Exeter College will host a local celebration event in the New Year and will be presented with their Award by John Hayes MP, Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning at a national presentation ceremony due to be held at Westminster on 8 February 2012.
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For more information, photographs or to arrange an interview with Exeter College, please contact Sylvia Jarman, Head of Marketing and Communications

For more information about the AoC Beacon Awards, please contact Louise Duffy, AoC Charitable Trust and Communications Officer, at louise_duffy@aoc.co.uk or 020 7034 9957. Alternatively, contact Alice Thiagaraj, AoC Charitable Trust Manager, at alice_thiagaraj@aoc.co.uk or 020 7034 9917.