A group of staff and students from Bridgwater College were offered the opportunity of a lifetime last week when they travelled to London to collect their highly-prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.

The prize was awarded to College Principal Mike Robbins and Vice-Principal Andy Berry by Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at an awe-inspiring official ceremony held in the Buckingham Palace ballroom last Thursday, with Chair of Governors Derek Randall and a number of staff and students also in attendance. After the ceremony, the Prince of Wales met College students Luke Maidment, Cory Gutteridge-Turner, Will Kitch and Lucy Keirle, congratulating them on their achievements thus far and wishing them every success in their future careers.

The Prizes, which form part of the UK Honours system, are awarded every two years to colleges and universities whose achievements in terms of creativity, innovation and impact are considered to be exceptional. Recognition for Bridgwater College came as a result of its pioneering work with business, awarding bodies, universities and government at all levels to put in place the skills training that is enabling regional businesses and individuals to participate fully in one of the biggest surges of economic activity that the South West has ever seen.

Its partnerships with companies such as EDF Energy — whose investment in the College’s Energy Skills Centre has been a catalyst for new energy investment —Mulberry, DHL/Morrisons, GE Power and Thales, as well as a host of smaller businesses, are helping people of all ages to gain or progress in employment, and ensuring that industry has access to people with the right skills at the right time, to deliver business growth and increased productivity.

Speaking after the ceremony, College Principal Mike Robbins said,

“It is an absolute privilege to receive this highly prestigious award, which is testament to the commitment, dedication and passion of our students and our staff. Their innovative ideas, quickness to respond and total flexibility mean that we are now the training destination of choice for a significant number of blue-chip employers, which can only be good news for the young people and communities we represent. Our close employer partnerships are delivering unprecedented progression, apprenticeship and work experience opportunities, proving that academic excellence is not the only route we offer to a rewarding and successful career.”

Nigel Cann, Hinkley Point C Programme and Construction Delivery Director said,

“We are thrilled our partnership with Bridgwater College has been recognised and the hard work of College staff and students has been honoured with the presentation of a Queen’s Anniversary Award. EDF Energy’s investment in Bridgwater College is designed to ensure people and businesses in the local community can develop the skills they need to secure jobs and contracts on our project. Somerset has a fantastic opportunity to lead the low carbon energy industry and be a national centre of excellence for technical skills.”

Engineering apprentice Lucy Keirle, from Atkins’ aerospace division added,

“I never imagined that my decision to become an engineering apprentice would take me all the way to Buckingham Palace! Words cannot describe how special it was to meet the Prince of Wales and to talk to him about my career. This was an occasion that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Prior to the official ceremony, College staff attended a celebration dinner at the Guildhall in London, accompanied by representatives from Thales, the MoD, Laing O’Rourke and the Office for Nuclear Development, The Department of Energy and Climate Change, as well as members of the judging panel and the Royal Anniversary Trust. The Band of the Household Cavalry provided a Fanfare Team of State Trumpeters and a concluding lament was played by Pipe Major McLucas of the London Scottish Regiment.

If you would like more information about Apprenticeships at Bridgwater College, or are an employer looking for workforce training please contact our Business Development team on 01278 655111 or email business@bridgwater.ac.uk.