A.C. Whyte recently attended the Herald Higher Education Awards and are delighted to be announced the winner of the prestigious Outstanding Business Engagement Award for their work with West College Scotland.

The award recognised and highly commended the A.C. Whyte Skills Academy, where both teams worked closely to create a unique industry led initiative that has provided their diverse group of Akademos, as they are known, with a formal qualification as well as the relevant knowledge and skills to allow them to graduate to professional A.C. Whyte external wall insulation installers.

This is a wonderful achievement by our Construction team, particularly the staff in Greenock & A.C. Whyte. With A.C. Whyte, they have designed a unique and innovative facility which gives students a blend of classroom-based work as well as “real-life” experience at A.C. Whyte’s own sites. – Liz Connolly, College Principal at West College Scotland

On successful completion, the Akademos will be offered full-time, permanent employment with A.C. Whyte, making this proposition completely unique and a first of its kind.

We are delighted with this award, it recognises what can be achieved through partnership working. Since its launch, the Skills Academy has attracted significant attention not simply because it aligns with key Government objectives, or even the fact that it is completely unique, but because it’s a bold, innovative and successful approach to fulfilling future skills needs. – Jennifer Phin, Managing Director of A.C. Whyte

The combined efforts of A.C. Whyte and West College Scotland meant their Akademos have received individual, tailored guidance and support throughout their training, to ensure they have a positive and successful experience. The course itself has achieved an impressive retention rate in comparison to traditional college courses, due to the unique planning and creation.

Jennifer Phin, Managing Director of A.C. Whyte alongside Tommy Campbell and Robert Shields of Herald Higher Education Awards proudly accepted the award on behalf of their respective teams, in front of over 350 guests.

This new course has been transformative for the young people on it. In the past, not all students managed to stay in the course, but the Skills Academy has seen a 100% retention rate, which is almost unprecedented. This is great for the College and our partners at A.C. Whyte but – most importantly – great for our students. – Tommy Campbell, Head of Construction at West College Scotland

The Akademos have since graduated from the Skills Academy, look out for more details.