Shrewsbury College

Succeeding with Succession in Engineering

Shrewsbury College — 27/01/2025

Join us for our Engineering networking and skills event, focusing on how to successfully plan succession in your business and combat skills shortages within the industry.

What the morning will involve:

10.00-10.30am | Arrival with Tea & Coffee

10.30-10.45am | Welcome Andrew Lee, Shrewsbury Colleges Group's Curriculum Director for Engineering and Director for Employer Engagement, summarises the challenges faced by the region and the opportunities available. This will include the full range of training options available from new entrant to degree level as well as exploring apprenticeships and other funded opportunities.

10.45-11.15am | Micro Briefings: Succession Success and 'Talent Spotting' with industry leaders Hear from Invertek Drives and Ricoh UK explaining, first-hand, how they address their succession planning. Working with colleges to access their talent pools of students, as well as diverse, bespoke and flexible training pathways for existing employees, they will demonstrate how the training can be maximised to benefit both existing and new employees, to support business needs. Delegates will have the opportunity to quiz the speakers afterwards, helping to further inform their planning and specific needs.

11.15-12noon | Facilities Tour and put your questions to our team | After hearing about the many ways to develop your workforce of engineers, take a tour of our industry-standard facilities to experience the high-quality facilities where our students and apprentices are trained. You’ll also have the chance to discuss your company’s specific needs with our staff, enabling us to tailor bespoke training solutions just for you.

12noon onwards | Buffet Lunch and Networking Time to digest all you've heard and discuss with industry colleagues whilst enjoying a delicious lunch in our onsite professional restaurant, Origins.

We look forward to working with you!

Shrewsbury Engineering Department Celebrated in Outstanding Ofsted Report

Shrewsbury College — 15/05/2025

Shrewsbury Engineering Department Celebrated in Outstanding Ofsted Report

Shrewsbury Colleges Group is proud to celebrate the national recognition of its Engineering Department, as a key part of the college’s recent Ofsted inspection in March 2025, which resulted in an overall Outstanding judgement. The Engineering team was highlighted as a shining example of the college’s excellence, reflecting the dedication of the department to high-quality teaching, student success, and strong industry links.

The inspection team praised the college for fostering a “calm, purposeful and positive learning environment” and noted that “students are taught by highly skilled industry experts and experienced, qualified academic staff.” This approach is particularly evident in the Engineering classes, where students benefit from hands-on experience, expert guidance, and access to industry-standard equipment and progression opportunities.

The inspection team also praised the departmental staff: “Leaders have designed highly ambitious curricula that go beyond the requirements of the qualifications to ensure students and apprentices develop the specific skills needed for their next steps. Level 3 engineering technician apprentices learn to use a wide range of testing equipment in bespoke testing bays and experience robot welders and the use of 3-D printing to enhance their knowledge and skills.” They also noted that “Teachers and assessors ensure apprentices develop high-quality, industry-specific skills that they apply to the workplace. They work well with employers to ensure that the skills apprentices develop are relevant for the future workplace, as well as current employer and industry needs.”

James Staniforth, Principal and CEO, commented, “We are absolutely delighted by this result. The recognition from Ofsted confirms what we already knew – that our Engineering provision is among the very best in the country.”

The department plays a key role in the college’s ‘Strong’ contribution to local, regional, and national skills development – the highest possible grade for this judgement. This reflects the department’s extensive partnerships with employers, including engineering firms across Shropshire and the West Midlands, ensuring students are equipped with real-world skills and career-ready knowledge. The department’s strong focus on individual progress, alongside technical and academic excellence, prepares students for successful careers in a range of engineering sectors.

The Ofsted inspection team also pointed out that the college strongly contributes to meeting skills needs. Leaders have a very comprehensive understanding of local, regional and national skills needs. They are steadfast in their desire to provide an extensive curriculum that meets skills priorities and supports the acquisition of highly relevant skills and knowledge for all their students and apprentices. For instance, leaders have introduced higher-level modular courses in priority areas such as engineering, construction, digital, leadership and management.

The team also highlighted that ‘teachers and assessors ensure apprentices develop high-quality, industry-specific skills that they apply to the workplace. They work well with employers to ensure that the skills apprentices develop are relevant for the future workplace, as well as current employer and industry needs.’

Students at the college were also praised for their behaviour and attitude, with inspectors stating, “Students behave impeccably well and are enthusiastic about their learning.”

Chair of Governors Joycelin Hoyland added, “Our Engineering Department is one of the many college departments that embodies the college’s mission to deliver outstanding education and training. The staff’s expertise and commitment have rightly been recognised as sector leading.”

The department’s exceptional reputation is further reinforced by numerous student successes at WorldSkills UK, where Engineering students brought home multiple gold medals – a testament to the outstanding practical training and expert mentorship they receive.

With demand for skilled engineers growing across the UK, Shrewsbury Colleges Group is proud to be setting the standard and shaping the future workforce through its Outstanding Engineering provision.

Shrewsbury College recognised in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026

Shrewsbury College — 04/06/2026

Shrewsbury College is delighted to announce that it has been named in the Top Ten big companies in the country in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026. This award recognises the outstanding performance of all college staff who work tirelessly in the interests of our students.

This recognition marks a significant achievement for the college and acknowledges its ongoing commitment to fostering a positive, supportive and inclusive workplace.

The prestigious accolade is based on comprehensive staff feedback and recognises organisations that demonstrate excellence in employee engagement, wellbeing, instilling pride, job satisfaction, and opportunities for professional growth.

The Sunday Times Award closely follows the college’s ‘Outstanding’ rating by Ofsted in March 2025, confirming the dedication of college staff to delivering outstanding education and support for people in the region.

James Staniforth, Principal of Shrewsbury College, said:

“We are incredibly proud to be recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the best big organisations to work for. This award is a testament to the commitment, professionalism and care our staff show every day, and I would like to thank every member of our college team.”

He continued: “This recognition reinforces our belief that putting people first leads to stronger teams, a more inclusive culture and better outcomes for our entire college community. This award recognises the dedication of our staff who make Shrewsbury College a great place to work, which in turn ensures our students receive an exceptional experience and outcomes.”

Donna Lucas, Vice Principal for People, added:

“Very few colleges have received such an award, and I’m delighted that the culture that we have created together has been recognised and celebrated in such a way.

Shrewsbury College continues to invest in staff wellbeing, development and leadership at all levels, ensuring our colleagues feel valued, empowered and supported in doing their best work for our students.”

Joycelin Hoyland, Chair of Governors for the college, concluded:

“In the last 18 months, the college has been recognised as an outstanding place to study, and now this Sunday Times Best Places to Work award recognises that we are also a great place to work. I am confident that this award will inspire all staff to make the college an even better place to work and study.”

Shropshire's engineers claim fully funded training

Shrewsbury College — 27/08/2024

Shrewsbury Colleges Group (SCG) is thrilled to announce a new initiative offering fully funded training opportunities to residents of Shropshire. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the skills and career prospects of local individuals, supporting the development of a highly skilled workforce, and driving economic growth across the region.

As part of this programme, SCG are providing the engineering sector with a diverse range of courses tailored to meet the needs of learners at different stages of their professional journey, including:

Advanced Fabrication and Welding Processes
3D CAD with Solidworks
Electrical/Electronics Fault Finding and Repair
Electrical Panel Building / Wiring for Engineers
Introduction in Industrial Hydraulics/Pneumatic Systems & Testing for Engineers
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and HMI Communications for Engineers
Introduction to Industrial and Cobot Robotics

Andy Lee, Director of Employer Engagement and Curriculum Director for Engineering said:

“This initiative is part of Shrewsbury Colleges Group's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality education and training opportunities that meet the needs of the local community. By investing in the education and development of Shropshire residents, we aim to build a stronger, more resilient workforce for our local employers.

“Any employer who would like to tailor training to meet their individual company needs, are very welcome to contact me on andrewle@shrewsbury.ac.uk

How to Apply:

Engineers interested in applying for these fully funded courses can do so by visiting the college’s website at Part-time Courses (scg.ac.uk)

Müller selects Shrewsbury College as specialist provider for food and drink sector engineering apprenticeships

Shrewsbury College — 04/06/2026

Shrewsbury College is pleased to announce a new partnership with Müller to deliver our engineering apprenticeship programmes across the dairy group’s operations in Shropshire. The agreement represents a significant step in enhancing the region’s technical training capacity and highlights the college’s expanding reputation as a specialist provider for the Food and Drink sector.

Shrewsbury College was selected for its expertise, curriculum quality, and strong alignment with industry needs.

The college has introduced this new apprenticeship programme specifically to assist employers across the wider Marches region. Focusing on a specialised Food and Drink Engineering apprenticeship route, making it a strategically valuable development for local workforce planning. The new programmes directly align with the priorities outlined in the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), helping to address skills shortages and supporting the sector's long-term competitiveness.

Further strengthening its position, Shrewsbury College has also been formally approved by the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink as a specialist provider for this pathway. This endorsement places the college among only seven nationally approved training centres for this apprenticeship standard, providing external validation of the programme design, quality, and relevance.

To support delivery, the college is investing in new specialised equipment and training resources to ensure apprentices benefit from modern, industry‑standard facilities that reflect current Food and Drink Engineering environments. This investment will enhance practical learning and ensure apprentices acquire the high‑level technical skills employers demand.

James Staniforth, Principal of Shrewsbury College, said:
"We are very proud to collaborate with Müller on this vital skills initiative. As one of the region’s leading employers, Müller plays a key role in supporting local economic growth, and this partnership allows us to enhance the flow of engineering and technical talent essential to the food manufacturing sector. This represents a significant step forward for both the college and the Marches region."

A Müller spokesperson added:
"We’re pleased to collaborate with Shrewsbury College to support colleagues’ development across our organisation. Apprenticeships are vital in shaping our future workforce, enhancing skills, and providing clear routes for progression. This partnership will help us continue to build the capabilities needed for the future."

Louise Cairns, from National Skills Academy for Food & Drink, added:
"We are delighted to welcome Shrewsbury College into the Industry Approved Network and look forward to supporting them on their journey with this critical programme for our sector."