SERC Confirmed Finalist in Association of Colleges Beacon Awards 2022/23

The annual AoC Beacon Awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice among UK Colleges including activities to widen participation for groups often under-represented in further education.  

This year’s AoC Beacon Awards programme has twelve categories and SERC has reached the finals in two categories.  

SERC is a finalist in The Edge Award for Excellence in Real World Learning category. This category is designed to recognise, celebrate and promote examples of excellent practical teaching and learning through responsive curriculums, vocational education and engagement with local employers and communities. SERC’s entry to this category was the teaching and learning promoted through the SERC Entrepreneurship Club, which helps students to leverage their talents and tenacity to build a viable start-up business. The Club trains students in the skills and innovative thinking that allow founders to create successful companies, challenging them to take a real start-up from idea to execution and impact. 115 independently trading student companies have been formed since 2018. 

SERC is also a finalist in The NOCN Group Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing category. This category is designed to recognise, celebrate and promote the work colleges are doing to support the mental health and wellbeing of their learners and staff. SERC’s entry to this category was SERC’s Mind Yourself Campaign, and the Student Engagement Team's Wellbeing Campaign. The Mind Yourself Campaign was devised and implemented in January 2017 following a wellbeing survey analysis. The Mind Yourself Campaign teamed up with Health Matters, who deliver health, safety and wellbeing training solutions, on an exciting initiative to improve college health and wellbeing support. SERC partnered with Health Matters and Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) to survey staff to assess their wellbeing needs and to repeat this assessment. The Programme design addresses evidence-based employee and student health and wellbeing needs and is committed to supporting staff and students on various aspects of health and wellbeing.   

SERC Principal Ken Webb comments, “The College is delighted to be confirmed a finalist in two categories in the AoC Beacon Awards 2022/23. The two categories we have been confirmed finalists in highlight SERC’s commitment to quality learning programmes as well as SERC’s dedication to supporting staff and students alike through mental health campaigns. I would like to congratulate all those involved and wish them the best of luck when the winners are announced next year.” 

Winners of the awards will be announced Spring 2023.   

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