College connections catch eye of awards’ judging panel

New College Lanarkshire has been shortlisted in the CDN College Awards for its key role in connecting and supporting businesses across the region.

The college is a finalist in the employer connections category of the prestigious annual event, which celebrates innovation in Scotland’s college sector.

The college’s shortlisted awards submission, Connecting with Lanarkshire to Develop the Workforce of Tomorrow, highlights its commitment to meeting the needs of the local business community and encouraging economic growth through its Lanarkshire Business Hub.

Since its inception as a Knowledge Transfer Hub in 2009, the hub has evolved to provide a key forum; it brings together employers, industry experts and the business community as part of monthly events and workshops.

Its current membership of more than 500 people represents businesses from a range of sectors across the region.

Deborah Grant, head of commercial business development, said: “We are delighted that New College Lanarkshire has been shortlisted for the CDN College Awards 2020 for our work in connecting with employers across Lanarkshire and beyond.

“Our free events and membership programme are helping to encourage business growth through networking, business collaboration, talent recruitment and workforce training opportunities.

“During lockdown, we have taken employer events online with virtual events being hosted in May and June in partnership with Lanarkshire’s local authorities and Business Gateway.

“In addition, we have hosted a business listening event to understand the changing needs of business and how, as an educational establishment, we can support them moving forward and shape our future curriculum in line with their business needs.

“As a college we are passionate about supporting sustainable business growth in Lanarkshire through the facilitation of knowledge transfer, business networking and workforce development.”

Organised by the College Development Network (CDN), the awards will take the form of a virtual celebration this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and be held on December 3, with attendees encouraged to continue the ceremony’s traditional black-tie dress code.

There are 10 awards categories which aim to showcase the talent, skills and achievements of Scotland’s colleges, their staff and students.

At the same event last year, New College Lanarkshire’s successful Market Day initiative received a highly commended honour in the essential skills category for its role in encouraging entrepreneurial skills in students.

For more information on the college’s Lanarkshire Business Hub, visit www. nclanarkshire. ac. uk/ business/ lanarkshirebusiness-hub.

History of success The college won communications and PR and customer experience prizes at the CDN marketing awards in 2018