Double win for Fife College at CDN Awards

Fife College (@FifeCollege) picked up two national awards at this year’s College Development Network (CDN) Awards.

The College took home both the Innovation and Health and Wellbeing prizes at the college sector’s showcase awards, held in Glasgow last night (Thursday 9 December).

The College’s involvement, as lead training provider in Scotland for a digital manufacturing project led by the University of Cambridge, was recognised in the Innovation category.

The link up with the ‘Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring’ project, which helps provide simple, low-cost digital solutions for small, local manufacturers, has seen a team from the College lead on a series of innovative projects throughout the year which were then showcased to manufacturers via an online employer engagement event.

The second award win of the night for the College came in the Health and Wellbeing category which was won by the College’s prison-based learning team for the successful continuation of learning and skills provision throughout the lockdown period.

Prison-based learning staff, who deliver learning in 13 centres located in Scottish Prison Service facilities throughout Scotland, created and distributed over 32,000 learner packs, 400 DVDs and podcasts utilising in-cell radio and TV, supporting the mental and physical health and wellbeing of learners.

Stephen Ayton, Academic Head for Engineering, Science, Mathematics and STEM at Fife College said:

“We are delighted that our work with The University of Cambridge’s Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring Programme has picked up this award.

“Our involvement in the project has helped SME manufacturers find out more about low-cost digital solutions which can benefit their business, helping us in our ambition to drive an increase in STEM skills, both here in Fife and across Scotland.

“It’s been great to partner with such a prestigious educational institute on this innovative and timely project, and winning a national award for our work on this programme is a fantastic bonus.”

Audrey Mitchell, who is the lead for Fife College’s work in prisons, said:

“We are thrilled that our ‘in cell learning in lockdown’ work has been recognised at this year’s CDN Awards.

“Overcoming the challenges presented by lockdown, particularly with no internet provision within custodial environments, was a significant task for us.

“However, thanks to the tenacity and innovation of our prison-based learning teams, and with the support of the Scottish Prison Service, we were able to implement a unique, student-centred delivery model, enabling the continuation of positive learning experiences throughout the pandemic.”

The College was also commended in a third category on the night, the Skills Development Award, for Partnership work with Fife Council and the NHS to support senior phase school pupils.

The CDN Awards celebrate the talent, skills and achievements of colleges, their staff, and learners from across Scotland, as well as giving an opportunity to showcase the innovation that exists within the sector.

The winners of the CDN Awards 2021 were announced at a celebration ceremony at Radisson Blu, Glasgow on Thursday 9 December 2021.