We’ve officially received a Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education for our PlanBEE programme.
The award was presented by His Majesty The King at a ceremony at St James’s Palace. Principal David Alexander, Chair of Governors Michael Williams, college staff, Mark Thompson from Ryder Architecture, and a group of PlanBEE apprentices and graduates attended to accept the honour on behalf of everyone who has contributed to the programme over the past decade.
The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Higher and Further Education is the highest national honour a Further Education College can receive. Awarded every two years by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, the prizes recognise institutions that demonstrate excellence, innovation and clear benefit to society.
Developed in partnership with Ryder Architecture, PlanBEE was launched in 2016 to help attract and retain talent in the built environment and construction sector and solve the skills shortage the industry is facing.
Backed by a consortium of over 70 leading businesses across the UK, the programme combines academic study at the college with hands-on experience at leading industry employers.
As the first programme of its kind, apprentices undertake six distinct four-month placements across roles such as architecture, engineering, project management, quantity surveying and digital design.
Since its launch, 143 apprentices have graduated, with 98% progressing into permanent employment and full honours degrees. We have maintained a 100% pass rate on the new apprenticeship EPA, delivered more than 850 industry placements, and grown from 10 founding sponsors to over 70 businesses.
David Alexander, Principal of Gateshead College, said: “Receiving a Queen Elizabeth Prize is an absolute honour for the college. PlanBEE was created to help tackle the skills shortages in the built environment, and this award shows the difference that can be made when colleges and employers work closely together.
“We’re really proud to deliver PlanBEE, but this recognition is for everyone who has been part of the programme over the last 10 years – our sponsors, apprentices, graduates and the college staff who have helped make PlanBEE the success it is today.”
Mark Thompson, Managing Director at Ryder Architecture, added: “Having developed the concept of PlanBEE and garnered support from businesses in the sector, we needed an education delivery partner that could move at pace and understand the needs of a fast-changing industry. Gateshead College provided that foundation. To see the programme recognised with this national honour demonstrates what can be achieved when education and industry work closely together.”
We were one of two organisations in the North East to receive an award with Newcastle University being recognised for transforming the understanding, diagnosis and care of people with Dementia with Lewy bodies.
You can watch a video of the Investiture below and find out more about PlanBEE here.
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