Chief Executive’s Inaugural Dinner Celebrates College Success

More than 40 partners and stakeholders gathered on Thursday (15th June) at Macclesfield College for an Engagement Dinner hosted by its Principal and Chief Executive, Rachel Kay.

 

This event saw the coming together of people and organisations across the county who have supported and believed in the vision the College set out back in 2015 and have helped it move from strength to strength through collaboration and strategic support.

 

Students worked together alongside the event sponsor and Macclesfield College’s student employment partner, De Vere Cranage Estate, to create a professional event with Level 3 Professional Cookery students designing the menu and cooking on the night. Katie Shipton, Level 3 Art and Design student, designed the invitations as well as the menu and place cards.  

 

Welcomed with a champagne reception and treated to a delightful five course dinner, prepared and served by Level 3 Hospitality and Events students in the College’s Silk Room Restaurant, guests were treated to a keyboard accompaniment by Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production student Oscar Heath-Jones.

 

The Principal welcomed guests and toasted the College’s success.  She went on to thank the management team and partners for their input and support.

 

David Rutley, MP for Macclesfield, attended the dinner and toasted the College for their success in establishing links with businesses at a local and national scale, referencing such companies as Siemens, Seddon Construction and AstraZeneca. The event attendee list also featured such businesses as MEN Group, Association of Colleges and The LTE Group.

 

Rachel Kay said: “After two years of sourcing and settling in the most incredible team and putting our stakeholder engagement plan into action, it was great to welcome our key connections to thank them for their collaboration which has taken Macclesfield College to new heights.

 

“Our strategy from the get-go has been underpinned by engaging with the business community and the Government’s agenda to create great opportunities for local learners in Macclesfield and we’ve reaped excellent results. 97% of learners at Macclesfield College go on to work, Apprenticeships, higher education or higher level course and would recommend enrolling on a course at the College.

 

“The College has also achieved the QAA standard kitemark for Higher Education and statistics reveal that we are also one of the region’s best-performing Apprenticeship providers, with an ‘average’ 20% success rate above the UK benchmark.”

 

David Rutley said: “I was pleased to be able to attend the Celebration of Engagement Dinner to celebrate the positive progress Macclesfield College is making in engaging with the local business community. It is great to see the College increase the number of Apprenticeships it provides from 200 in 2014/15 by an additional 350 just 18 months later – a real boost to local skills. The positive interest in Apprenticeships and technical training is good news for the local economy, but most of all for the young people whose lives are being transformed by the opportunities they offer. The College is a real asset to Macclesfield, and I wish Rachel Kay and her team continued success in the years ahead.”

 

About Macclesfield College: Macclesfield College is a modern, inspiring campus offering Further and Higher Education. Based in East Cheshire, it provides training and education to learners of all ages and abilities. The course offering includes Apprenticeships, vocational training for 16-18 year olds, higher education provision and various adult learning options.

 

Passionate about skills, education and training, the College takes a business approach to the world of education and supports businesses and
individuals across the county by helping to retain talent within the local economy.

 

Bucking the trend in the FE sector, Macclesfield College now functions all year round, demands excellent account management standards and offers twilight shifts for out-of-hours communication and support. Staff and learners are nurtured individually rather than using set structural systems and the College has developed incredible links with industry, allowing employers to shape the curriculum offer, ensuring all learners have a structured career pathway.