SOT College Recognized with Quality in Careers Standard Award

Stoke on Trent College (@SOTCollege) ‘continues to deliver outstanding career-related learning’ after being re-accredited by Staffordshire County Council for the Quality in Careers Standard. In 2021, Stoke on Trent College became the first college in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to achieve this standard, recognizing its excellent Careers service. The recent re-accreditation confirms the college’s continued commitment to meeting these high standards.

The report from Staffordshire County Council praised the college, stating, “The passion for careers at Stoke on Trent College is palpable and it was a real pleasure to assess and re-accredit the college as fully meeting the standard. Students and parents are overwhelmingly positive in their experiences of the careers support provided. Students clearly value the careers information, advice, and guidance available from the careers team. The robust approach to delivering the Careers programme is fully embraced, promoted, and endorsed by Governors and Senior Leaders.”

This re-accreditation and the college’s focus on careers form part of the ‘Career Ready’ Careers Strategy 2023-2026, which embeds an engaging careers curriculum throughout the learner journey. The comprehensive Careers Service is also a key element of the college’s corporate strategy, ‘Skills Ready, Future Ready,’ with 96% of learners progressing to meaningful employment or further and higher education opportunities.

A vital component of the careers support at Stoke on Trent College is its partnerships with local companies, such as Carse & Waterman, which have become Skills Pledge partners. The Stoke-based animation studio has previously delivered a live brief to Games Art & Animation Level 1 learners, helping them develop collaboration, teamwork, communication, and specialist skills in a professional environment, providing a taste of industry work.

Dave Hopley, Assistant Principal Student Experience at Stoke on Trent College, highlighted the importance of the Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEIAG) programme, which is embraced by all teaching departments. “A fine example of this is our collaboration with Capita & Centric for the Regeneration Brainery, a week-long bootcamp that gives students a real insight into the construction industry through a variety of workshops and visits to exciting local projects such as the Goods Yard, based near Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station. Over 35 learners have attended over 2 years, and two of our learners have secured meaningful employment with construction companies as a result of attending.”

Lisa Capper MBE, CEO & Principal at Stoke on Trent College, expressed her delight at the re-accreditation, saying, “We are delighted to see this fantastic recognition for our Careers team with the re-accreditation for the Quality in Careers Standard. Here at Stoke on Trent College, we pride ourselves on giving our learners the best journey from the moment they walk through our doors until results day in whatever vocation they choose. This recognition is another example of our Skills Ready, Future Ready corporate strategy pledges, being a nurturing and inclusive college where learners can strive to reach their full potential.”