Launch of College's new Student Progression Hub

Bishop Auckland College are celebrating the launch of their brand new Student Progression Hub at the College’s main site campus.

The grand opening event was attended by Directorate, staff, students, guests and employers from the local community. The College welcomed guest speaker Matt Joyce, Regional Lead: North East Ambition, North East LEP who discussed the strong partnership between the North East LEP and Bishop Auckland College in growing our economy and preparing students with the skills set to succeed in their journey through life, education and work. Bishop Auckland College was one of the few Colleges in the North East who were involved in the initial pilot of the Gatsby Benchmarks scheme which provides a clear framework for defining world class careers provision in education.

Matt Joyce, Regional Lead: North East Ambition, North East LEP is pictured with Principal and Chief Executive, Natalie Davison-Terranova, Vice-Principal Judith Layfield, and Student Progression Manager, Jennifer Phillips at the launch of the Student Progression Hub.

The opening of the new Student Progression hub coincides this year with the celebration of 100 years of career guidance in the UK. In 1922, the National Association of Juvenile Employment and Welfare Officers, which was the forerunner of the Institute of Career Guidance, was formed from recognition of the need to apply professional expertise and theory to assist young people, followed by the Youth Employment and Connexions Service.

Jennifer Phillips, Student Progression Manager at Bishop Auckland College with David Coe, Enterprise Coordinator, North East LEP and Matt Joyce, Regional Lead: North East Ambition, North East LEP.

Jennifer Phillips, Student Progression Manager said “the vision was to have a welcoming, bright, airy space for students, staff and visitors; an area that students felt comfortable in to discuss their career aspirations. Students are at the heart of the new Student Progression service and the team are passionate in the role we have in supporting and inspiring our students to explore career options, leading to high aspirations, clear career aims and achieving their full potential”.

Student Progression Team

The new student-facing service provides a unique, personalised mentoring service to all students, apprentices and the wider community, providing high quality careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG), employment and higher and further study opportunities, sourcing and arranging meaningful work placements with employers, developing employability skills and advocating and brokering sustainable positive destinations for all students.

If you are leaving school or thinking about a career change and would like to find out more about the fantastic courses Bishop Auckland College have to offer or would like a tour of the College facilities, please book an appointment with one of the College’s friendly, highly qualified and experienced Progression Coaches. Please email careers@bacoll.ac.uk or telephone 01388 443059.