South Hampshire College Group are celebrating National Careers Week 2025 with a new matrix Standard accreditation, successfully achieved through sustained delivery of high-quality careers support for prospective and current students.
Special commendation was given in this report to the College Group’s commitment to positive working and effective collaboration with internal and external partners, and commitment of managers to work towards alignment across the organisation. Staff and students alike were identified as being well supported, with plenty of available careers guidance that has proved impactful to students.
The matrix Standard is the international quality standard for organisations that deliver careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG), either as their sole purpose or as part of their service offering. This external audit required a review of South Hampshire College Group’s Careers and Admissions processes and procedures, feedback from students, as well as reviewing relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Roger Chapman, Head of the matrix Service for The Growth Company said: “This is a fantastic achievement for South Hampshire College Group and I would like to congratulate the team on their success. We believe that at the heart of high-quality advice and support services are strong leadership, excellent service and a focus on continuous improvement, all underpinned by effective use of the resources available. The matrix Standard is designed to benchmark organisations against best practice in these areas. With their accreditation success, South Hampshire College Group is working to provide the best possible support to their clients.”
Ashley Martin, Director of Student Experience and Transition at South Hampshire College Group, commented: “We are extremely proud to have achieved matrix accreditation. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all across our organisation. It reinforces our commitment to support students in receiving high-quality advice and guidance that helps them reach their full potential and achieve their career goals.”
Trudy McKenzie, Group Careers and Admissions Manager at South Hampshire College Group, commented: “We are delighted to have received this accreditation as recognition for all the hard work that goes into the delivery of our careers information, advice, guidance and customer service. The progress of the merger and aligning careers and admissions across our three colleges – Eastleigh College, Fareham College and Southampton College – hasn’t been without its challenges, but it is great to know that it has not affected the level of support given to students and potential students.
“We couldn’t have received this accreditation without the dedication and hard work of all our Admissions & Guidance Officers, Reception staff, Admissions Leads and Careers Advisers. This has been a real team effort and we would like to thank all those other wider staff members, stakeholders and students, who assisted by speaking to the Report Assessor.”
Building upon this fantastic achievement, South Hampshire College Group’s celebrations of National Careers Week (which runs 03 – 08 March) will be extra special this year, featuring engaging events and activities for all students across the college group, including employer talks, in-person support from universities, mock interview opportunities, CV workshops and careers drop-in sessions.
For further information, please contact South Hampshire College Group at info@shcg.ac.uk or visit www.shcg.ac.uk.
A packed programme of activities was warmly across South Hampshire College Group to celebrate apprenticeship and T Level qualifications as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2025.
Throughout the week a popular series of presentations and informative talks were staged across the College Group’s sites, comprising Eastleigh College, Fareham College, Southampton College, CEMAST and CETC, which have featured input from local government services including the NHS, the DVSA and the wider Civil Service. There have also been special networking events including an Employer’s Breakfast, bringing key local business and education figures together to celebrate apprenticeship developments this year, and a particularly useful ‘Meet your Match’ event which enabled progressing students and apprentices to connect with various employers from different sectors, opening up further opportunities for work interviews, placements and careers beyond college.
Clare Lewis is an employer at local mortgage broker business C L Mortgages, and has employed South Hampshire College Group student Cameron on an apprenticeship. She commented: “We need young people coming up through the ranks so we can grow our company. Apprenticeships are one of the best ways to achieve this and as an employer they allow me to shape staff to work how they need to in order to best support the firm.”
The week was also a unified celebration of T Levels, where the college group welcomed hundreds of young people and their parents to four special T Level information evenings where they had the opportunity to understand the value of the significant work placement and discover progression opportunities available through this dynamic new learning pathway. These events were gratefully supported by the University of Portsmouth, University of Southampton and Solent University, to endorse the progression pathways of T Levels and to continue to strengthen the important local community ties between Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE).
Briony is one of South Hampshire College Group’s many students currently undertaking a T Level programme – her study of Early Years & Education has opened up future ambitions for a career in safeguarding and supporting young people. She commented: “As part of my T Level, I have a large work placement in a school, which gives me real experience working with children from a range of circumstances. Our facilities at college also are really good because there’s a nursery and spaces where we learn hands-on skills, as well as classrooms, so we get a real mix of learning and experience.”
To learn more about National Apprenticeship Week and its importance in the education landscape, please click here.
For further information about South Hampshire College Group and its high-quality technical and professional training, please contact info@shcg.ac.uk or visit www.shcg.ac.uk.
South Hampshire College Group student Frankie McAll, 20, from Waterlooville, has won the South East regional heat of the Sparks 2025 Learner of the Year competition. He will now compete against 7 others in the grand final in Birmingham this April.
The Sparks Learner of the Year competition is one of the most exciting opportunities for emerging talent in the electrical industry, pitting the brightest and most capable prospects across the nation against each other in a competitive environment. During January and February, outstanding Level 2 and Level 3 students from across colleges in England and Wales have competed in six regional heats, tasked with completing a live practical installation under timed conditions.
Frankie’s success came in the South East regional heat at Aldershot Construction College, where he emerged victorious from ten students representing seven other colleges, as the only individual to successfully complete the installation project within the strict four-hour time limit. This involved carefully following instructions from a detailed spec document in order to put his college education and work experience into practice.
Frankie commented: “It was great to have this opportunity as I’d never taken part in an industry competition before and I was excited to see how I stacked up against others who were also put forward for their skill and ability. I was chuffed to win and I could really feel the benefits of both my workplace experience and time in college in making this happen. It was an intense and tiring day so it’s a little daunting thinking ahead to the final but it’s already really increased my confidence to have made it this far, anything else beyond this is a bonus.”
Paul Austin, Electrical Curriculum Area Manager at Eastleigh College, part of South Hampshire College Group, taught Frankie during his first year at college and put him forward for the Sparks competition. Paul said: “This competition is always of a very high standard but I could see Frankie’s quality of work in our workshops and knew he could handle this. He was well prepared, motivated and completed the project to a very high standard within the time frame – he has done himself and the College proud. It vindicates what we do as lecturers when we have a talent like Frankie who is able to showcase the skills and knowledge that we try to impart into all our students.”
The grand final of the 2025 Sparks Learner of the Year competition is set to take place in April (date TBC) at the JTL Training Centre in Birmingham. In addition to the competition, this event will provide valuable networking opportunities with industry specialists.
To learn more about the Sparks Learner of the Year annual competition, please click here.
South Hampshire College Group students from the Early Years and Health & Social Care departments have returned from an unforgettable two-week adventure in The Gambia. There, they helped support local schools and hospitals, visited wildlife parks, and engaged in team-building activities. This trip was the organisation’s first as part of the government’s Turing Scheme.
A total of 14 students, across Level 1, 2 and 3 studies, and staff participated in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as part of a program designed to offer enriching personal and professional development through unique work placements, exploratory visits to cultural areas of interest and supporting local communities. The cohort began their adventure with a team-bonding weekend, where they visited the country’s capital, Banjal, in addition to a crocodile park, a monkey park and a full induction. 10 days of eye-opening work placements followed, with the eight Early Years students supporting teaching at a local school, while six Health & Social Care students were stationed at a local hospital, supporting A+E, surgical and maternity wards. An activity weekend provided a valuable respite between the work placement days, during which students enjoyed a special sunrise kayaking trip and learnt valuable skills with the local community, such as cooking new dishes and caring for young children.
Kirsty Rennie, Curriculum Area Manager at South Hampshire College Group, was one of the staff members who supervised the trip. She commented: “This was truly an incredible experience for all of us, and it was amazing to see how our students culturally embraced the experience, none of whom had been to a third world country before. There were challenges to overcome, such as language barriers, intense hospital experiences and generally stepping outside of the comfort zone, but our students should be so proud of how they rose to these challenges and demonstrated professionalism and resilience.”
Sophie is a Health and Social Care student who participated in the trip. She commented: “The highlights of my experience include my favourite locations, such as the beach and the monkey park, as well as the exceptional staff at Kanifing Hospital. I would also like to express how much this opportunity enhanced my self-confidence, not only in my personal abilities but also in my capacity to engage in future opportunities. This experience allowed me to observe healthcare and professionalism within a different cultural context, particularly in a less affluent community. Furthermore, the trip provided me with the opportunity to meet new individuals and develop my social skills. I believe that my time in The Gambia has contributed to my personal growth and expanded my knowledge, creating lasting memories that I will never forget.”
Millie is an Early Years student who joined the trip. She said: “This trip really changed me so much as a person. It’s such a different environment from my experience working in an English nursery and we all felt so welcomed into the community. I felt so emotional having to leave the children because we all wanted to keep helping them, but it really makes you appreciate the simple things and how fortunate we are. I would recommend an experience like this to anyone, it really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
This trip was made possible through the Turing Scheme, a new £110 million initiative from the UK government that offers overseas learning experiences for students across the UK, with additional support for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. These fully funded trips give students experiences they otherwise might not be able to enjoy. The scheme has received a hugely positive reception since launching at South Hampshire College Group in December 2024. Further trips are already planned for Sri Lanka and Bali in March 2025, and more trips will be announced later in the year.
To learn more about the Turing Scheme, please click here: https://shcg.ac.uk/turing-scheme/.
South Hampshire College Group has been officially awarded with ‘Highly Commended’ status in the 2024 Digital Education Awards.
This international recognition is for the exceptional progress the organisation has made this year in digital industries through leading a variety of successful initiatives. These include the mobile technology roadshow TECH:TRUCK, the brand new Digital Training Vessel, and the community-focused South Coast Institute of Technology, which brings together further education and higher education providers from across Hampshire. The accolade also acknowledges the organisation’s commitment to community impact, diversity, and technology-driven learning, addressing local needs and reducing skills gaps.
Naomi Smith, Local Skills Improvement Fund Programme Director at South Hampshire College Group, commented: “We are delighted to receive this Highly Commended recognition for our digital breakthroughs this year as an organisation. TECH:TRUCK has grown to become one of the most popular attractions in the Solent’s education sector, introducing exciting new technical education technologies to young people and helping them identify career pathways in our LSIP-identified priority sectors, including Creative Arts, Health and Social Care, Engineering and Manufacturing, Marine Engineering and Net Zero technologies. As we continue to embrace the innovation ecosystem, through initiatives such as our state-of-the-art Digital Training Vessel (DTV1) we are excited to be at the forefront of industry-lead skills development for the Solent. The South Coast Institute of Technology represents unprecedented higher technical education opportunities, thanks to the collaboration of further education and higher education providers across Hampshire. We are constantly looking to innovate and grow, and this award gives us great encouragement going forward into 2025.”
A 2024 Digital Education Awards judge commented: “Your proactive collaboration and innovative use of technology position SHCG as a transformative leader in education. By continuing to embrace and expand these strategies, you have the opportunity to solidify your reputation as a key player in reshaping the local skills landscape.”
The Digital Education Awards celebrate the products, platforms, teams, and services leading the digital education scene today. They are open to individuals, organisations, and businesses worldwide. The 2024 awards featured sixteen different categories, with South Hampshire College Group’s Highly Commended recognition in the ‘Digital Education Institution of the Year’ category.
For any further information, please contact the College Group at info@shcg.ac.uk.
South Hampshire College Group is excited to announce its participation in a new government scheme designed to provide unforgettable learning experiences abroad for students.
The Turing Scheme is a £110 million government programme designed to offer fully-funded international education trips to students across the UK, with additional support to those from disadvantaged backgrounds. A variety of activities can take place on these trips such as building houses for the local population, working in the local care community, and collaborating with local education and sports groups. There are also opportunities to enjoy the local culture, such as safari trips, city explorations, visiting famous landmarks, and working on arts and community projects.
Ben Sheridan, Vice Principal at South Hampshire College Group, commented: “The Turing Scheme provides South Hampshire College Group with an excellent opportunity to send our students abroad for life enhancing work placements. This will provide unique first-hand experiences of life abroad, immersing students in different cultures. Our students will be visiting unique destinations which for many, will be their first time outside the European continent or possibly abroad. I am truly proud to be able to offer this to our students, and this year marks the start of a growing international department who will be able offer further trips to more students in the future.”
Paris Carter, Turing Scheme Coordinator at South Hampshire College Group, commented: “The Turing Scheme provides unique, once-in-a-lifetime international work experience placements and cultural experiences for our students at South Hampshire College Group. Participation in these trips allows for personal – and professional – growth and development and boosts employability and is a fantastic opportunity!”
South Hampshire College Group has already announced four planned trips in 2025 through the Turing Scheme including to Gambia in January, Sri Lanka in February, Bali in March and USA in April. These initial trips will be available to students on Health, Childcare, Sport and Travel and Tourism courses, with opportunities being explored to expand this offering further into 2025.
Greg Cheeseman, Hospitality Lecturer at Eastleigh College, part of South Hampshire College Group, attended the 2024 Pearson National Teaching Awards on 30 November as a finalist and was presented with a Silver Award for Further Education Lecturer of the Year.
Thousands of nominations were received this year in the Pearson National Teaching Awards, often referred to as the ‘Oscars’ of the teaching profession, with a select few receiving the prestigious Silver and Gold Awards. Entries came from schools and colleges from across the UK.
Greg’s Silver Award accolade has put a national spotlight on his impressive devotion and achievements over the ten years as a chef lecturer at Eastleigh College. His dedication and input into empowering and upskilling young people in the local community go far beyond standard teaching responsibilities.
Greg Cheeseman, Hospitality Lecturer at Eastleigh College, commented: “I was honoured to represent South Hampshire College Group at the Pearson Teaching Awards London ceremony. It was a privilege to be in the same room as other like-minded educators listening to worthy winners’ stories. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the years, from past lecturers who taught me, to my fantastic students past and present and to the great team I work with today.”
Sue Lyons, Head of Hospitality at Eastleigh College, commented: “It is amazing that Greg has been recognised at a national level for all the work he continues to do on a daily basis to inspire our young chefs and give them the best experience possible.”
Now in their 25th year, the Pearson Teaching awards celebrate the best of teaching across the UK and the impact and dedication of teachers in ensuring the best for their students. The 2024 ceremony, held at The Brewery, London, was presented by TV presenter Gaby Roslin, in a nostalgic throwback to the very first Pearson Awards in 1999, which she also presented.
For more information on the Pearson National Teaching Awards, please visit their website here.
Eastleigh College have hosted their annual Christmas Fair which has proved to be a huge success, raising an incredible £2273.46 for Piam Brown Ward of University Hospital Southampton.
The Christmas Fair was organised by Event Management students and gave them the opportunity to showcase months of meticulous planning and hard work that had been put in since the beginning of the academic year. The students created a winter wonderland filled with immersive decorations, a marketplace with local stallholders and gift sellers, a Santa’s Grotto, and a variety of fun activities and games for the whole family.
Students from other departments across the college also took part, including Kickstart students who were fundraising for their ‘Rise Up’ campaign, Art & Design students selling homemade Christmas Cards, and Hair & Beauty students offering sparkling holiday treatments such as hair tinsel.
The primary focus of the event was fundraising for The Piam Brown Ward, a unit based in University Hospital Southampton that cares for children with cancer. The Event Management students worked tirelessly to support this worthy cause and their efforts were richly rewarded, raising an impressive £2273.46. These funds will help ensure the continuity of quality service that Piam Brown are renowned for, and ensure bespoke support for patients and their supporting staff.
Eastleigh College would like to thank the whole Event Management department and wider students and staff who contributed to making the event such a memorable and impactful occasion.
The 2024 Hampshire Business Awards have taken place, with South Hampshire College Group attending alongside over 100 fellow finalists across sixteen distinct categories.
The event took place at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre. The awards ceremony was interspersed with a gala dinner, which was enjoyed by over 370 guests. Comedian Cally Beaton oversaw proceedings and entertained the audience. 2024 marks the second year of the Hampshire Business Awards, and this year, the addition of a silent auction enabled important fundraising for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Service, which provides vital support for the local community.
South Hampshire College Group were one of six recognised finalists in the Commitment to Education, Training and Skills category, which was won by local blacksmith business Parmenter Forge. All finalists were met with rapturous applause and a warm reception in this celebration of success across the Hampshire community.
Naomi Smith, LSIF Programme Director, attended the event on behalf of South Hampshire College Group. She commented: “Being shortlisted for the Commitment to Education, Training and Skills Award highlights our commitment to delivering impactful education at South Hampshire College Group. Though we didn’t win, we’re proud of our technical education, apprenticeships and employer-led skills provisions that drive participation in our region’s priority sectors. By putting business at the heart of our work, we empower learners to thrive and are proud of the opportunities we create for our future workforce.”
Emma Ward is the Director of Sugoi Campers, who were also a finalist in the Made in Hampshire category. She commented: “Being shortlisted in the Hampshire Business Awards is an incredible honour for Sugoi Campers and highlights the value of projects like TECH:TRUCK, which we were proud to create with South Hampshire College Group. This recognition celebrates the innovation and collaboration behind initiatives that inspire future generations and strengthen ties between education and industry. Events like these are essential for showcasing the exceptional work being done by local businesses and their impact on the community.”
Hannah Kent Colls, Founder and Director of Watermark Communications, attended the event as a guest. She commented: “It was a pleasure attending the Hampshire Business Awards as a guest of South Hampshire College Group. Awards such as these are extremely valuable for businesses, particularly those that are small, niche, or new to their market, as recognition is key to business success. It is also great to be able to celebrate these local businesses and individuals who help drive innovation and commerce both within the region and further afield.”
For a full list of winners and a recap of the evening, please visit the Hampshire Business Magazine website.
South Hampshire College Group has been named as a finalist in the 2024 Hampshire Business Awards in the Education, Training and Skills category.
This regional recognition is testament to the exceptional progress South Hampshire College Group has made over the last year as a further education organisation, having launched a range of exciting new initiatives such as a pioneering Digital Training Vessel to grow new and innovative maritime and digital skills, a bespoke professional development provider in Business Plus for upskilling staff and business growth, and leading on the second iteration of the ever popular mobile technology roadshow TECH:TRUCK which is introducing thousands of young people to cutting-edge and emerging technologies and inspiring them with their future career options.
To celebrate the occasion, a formal drinks reception took place on Wednesday 06 November, at Lainston House Hotel in Winchester, where all finalists could network while enjoying cocktails and canapés.
Lisa Congdon, Business Development Manager at South Hampshire College Group, was one of the attendees representing the organisation. She commented: “It was fantastic to meet some of the fellow nominees in our category and hear some very inspiring stories. It was a brilliant event in a lovely setting where everyone was so supportive of each other.”
The main black-tie gala awards dinner will take place on Thursday 21 November, at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, where the overall winners will be announced. Sixteen categories will be recognised during the ceremony with a total of six nominees in the Education, Training and Skills category.
Over 240 entries were received in this year’s event, with four independent judges deciding the winners. The finalist ceremony will be packed with the region’s strongest entrepreneurs from start and scale-ups, leaders from small and medium-sized enterprises, and all manner of talent living and working in the region.
Commenting on the tough task faced by the judges in selecting finalists and winners, Jo Whittle, Operations Director at The Business Magazine said: “As always, with such a high number and standard of entries judging was difficult and some tough decisions had to be made. Our finalists represent the cream of Hampshire, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements on the night.”
For a complete list of categories and finalists, please visit the Hampshire Business Awards dedicated webpage here.
A trainee refrigeration engineer at South Hampshire College Group has been named as a finalist of the ACR & Heat Pump Trainee of the Year Awards 2024.
Brendon Fry, a Level 3 Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps student at Eastleigh College, part of South Hampshire College Group, has been recognised for his remarkable progress on his course and employment, which has seen him become a fully qualified Service Technician at Trane UK. Despite having no previous industry experience and a different prior career path, Brendon defied the odds to secure a permanent position and a promising future in the sector. This latest success follows a remarkable summer in which he claimed the coveted Adult Student of the Year award at Eastleigh College.
The ACR & Heat Pump Trainee of the Year Awards is one of the marquee events on the calendar in the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning industry. It aims to celebrate the sector’s diversity and spotlight the achievements of emerging engineers. The prestigious ceremony will take place on 5th December at the Leeds Marriott Hotel, with a drinks reception, lunch and awards presentation. Five categories will be featured, each offering gold, silver and bronze accolades, with Brendon contending in the Refrigeration Trainee Engineer category.
Brendon Fry commented: “Being nominated as a finalist for the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Trainee Of The Year Awards 2024 is an incredible honour, and I’m beyond thrilled! I owe a great deal of my success to the lecturers in the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump department who have provided the perfect environment for me to transition from the retail sector into a fulfilling and exciting career with Trane Engineering. Every day, I’m grateful for the opportunity to work in an industry I’m passionate about, and this recognition feels like the culmination of a journey I couldn’t have taken without such fantastic support.”
Scott Perry, Refrigeration Lecturer at South Hampshire College Group, said: “As an educator, tutor and trainer, it’s been incredibly rewarding to witness the journey of Brendon Fry from a Co-op Store Manager to now working with Trane Engineering, a globally recognised leader in the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump industry. What sets Brendon apart is his unwavering passion for learning and his determination to succeed. From day one, he demonstrated an eagerness to not only grasp the technical skills but also deeply understand the science and innovation behind Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps.
Brendon’s transition from managing a store to thriving in a service technician role has been a testament to his hard work and dedication. He took every opportunity in the course to expand his knowledge, often going above and beyond class expectations, whether it was hands-on projects or engaging with industry professionals. It’s no surprise that he has become a finalist for the prestigious Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Trainee Of The Year Awards 2024.
This recognition reflects Brendon’s commitment to excellence, and I am deeply confident he will continue to make significant contributions to the industry. Brendon has shown that with passion, persistence, and a desire to keep learning, remarkable career transformations are possible.”
For more information on the upcoming event, please visit the dedicated awards website here.
A 17-year-old T Level Student from South Hampshire College Group has received a special trophy in the prestigious National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards, in which she attended as a regional finalist.
Benita Raphaels has been recognised with a Highly Commended trophy in the Gatsby T Level Student of the Year category for her extraordinary accomplishments on her T Level work placement, in which she has helped design and develop an inventory tracking app for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, which has now been approved for use throughout the force. This recognition is made more remarkable by Benita’s status as a current T Level student, now in the second year of her Level 3 Digital Production, Software Design and Development course, with most of her competition older in age and already having completed their T Level qualifications.
The prestigious ceremony for the South East regional finalists took place on Thursday 10 October, with 11 award categories, and over 150 guests in attendance. Two accolades were up for grabs across all categories, the Highly Commended Award and the Overall Category Winner. All category winners will go on to compete at the National Ceremony in London on Wednesday 27 November.
Benita Raphaels said: “I’m so happy to walk away with a trophy, especially as I haven’t even finished my work placement yet. It’s the first time they included a T Level category in the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards and it was so good to see employers celebrate T Levels and positively recognise them in this way. I’d like to thank my college lecturers and employer for all their support and for believing in me.”
Debbie Eacott, Benita’s Lecturer and Digital Academy Lead at Fareham College, part of South Hampshire College Group, commented: “Benita’s Highly Commended Award at the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards is a fantastic achievement and is truly a testament to her dedication and commitment in her industry placement at Hampshire Constabulary and her T Level studies at South Hampshire College Group. Well done Benita, you have a very bright future ahead of you.”
The National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2024 and for the very first time includes awards to recognise T Level students and employers. These awards are designed to reward the achievements of exceptional apprentices and T Level students, skills champions and apprenticeship and T Level employers.
Over 1300 entries were received nationally from sectors including the public sector, construction, health, science, IT and digital. These finalists are apprenticeship and T Level exemplars, highlighting best practice across recruitment excellence, high quality training practices, diversity and career progression.
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