BARNSLEY College has been recognised for its innovative approach to employer engagement by the Association of Colleges.

The college was named as a finalist in the City and Guilds Award for College Engagement with Employers category for its academy model, which embeds employers at the heart of curriculum design and delivery.

With around 30 partnerships across industries, the model ensures the college is meeting its purpose of ‘transforming lives’ by ensuring a clear line-of-sight from education into employment, with facilities and opportunities tailored to the industry in question.

College principal and chief executive David Akeroyd said: “Being a finalist is a tremendous achievement and a powerful endorsement of Barnsley College’s programme.

“This recognition belongs to colleagues across the whole college and to our employer partners who work alongside us every day to create exceptional opportunities for our students.

“Our academy model is built on genuine collaboration employers co-designing curriculum, mentoring students and setting real-world projects that develop the skills, behaviours and confidence industry demands.

“I am incredibly proud of the collective effort that has made this programme such a success.

“We should all be proud that our sector-leading approach has been recognised on a national stage.”