Employer engagement key to B&FC number one ranking

Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) has named employer engagement as a key factor to student success rates after it was ranked as the highest performing general FE and tertiary college in the country for 2013/14.

With a 92.9% overall success rate, B&FC tops the table of 218 other colleges and is significantly ahead of the 83.6% national average in England.

The college’s career-focussed professional and vocational qualifications are actively supported by industry and business partners can be equally proud of their contribution to the success our students have achieved.

Bev Robinson, principal and chief executive at Blackpool and The Fylde College, said: "We are delighted to be named as the highest performing GFEC in England for student success. At B&FC, quality is at the heart of everything we do. Our exceptional success, retention and achievement rates mean we can supply high-achieving, work-ready, motivated students who will have a positive impact on businesses. Employer partners are also invaluable in ensuring that the provision which we offer directly meets the needs of industry.”

The college has an excellent graduate to employment record and says partnerships with employers are fundamental to shaping and delivering curriculum to develop home grown talents with the skills, knowledge and experience to drive forward the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s vision for the region.

More than 2,000 businesses choose B&FC to deliver education and training programmes to their staff including BAE Systems, Ford, DONG, The Wood Group, Morrison’s, Jaguar Land Rover, Merlin Entertainment, Rolls Royce and the NHS. B&FC is recognised as one of the UK’s leading colleges with Grade 1‘Outstanding’ from Ofsted, double commendation from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and STEM assured status giving it a unique quality position and offering businesses a first rate choice of partner in workforce development.