In 2008, an award-winning and unique partnership was sparked between Aberdeen College and Grampian Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) after a chance conversation at the College’s annual Business Seminar. The result is an innovative project which uses widely-dispersed fire stations to offer new learning opportunities to local people across rural Aberdeenshire.
Aberdeen College has a long-standing commitment to widening access and participation in education and already delivers classes in more than a hundred community locations across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. As a result of the link-up with GFRS, it is now also able to deliver a wide range of courses in the training rooms of GFRS stations in areas of high demand for community-based learning. The partnership was officially launched in August 2008 and continues to expand and develop. Initially the college operated in five fire stations spread across a wide area, however due to the success of the initiative two additional community stations were added in August 2009.
Aberdeen College has installed laptops and broadband connections in participating fire stations to ensure all learners have access to up-to-date computer-based resources. The college also provided modest levels of furnishings in several stations, including seating and desks, increasing the capacity of these stations and securing the financial viability of the courses. As a direct result of the partnership, Aberdeen College has delivered over thirty additional courses in diverse subject areas including Computing; Digital Photography; ECDL; Spanish; French for Beginners and Preparing to Work in Community Settings.
The partnership has proved very successful winning two national awards in 2009. The first was an Association of Colleges Beacon Award for Lifelong Learning, sponsored by Edexcel, a leading provider of internationally recognised qualifications. The award judges recognised the partnership’s effective and imaginative approach in encouraging adults who haven’t previously attended College to take up courses. The UK-wide Beacon Awards provide national recognition for excellence and innovation while highlighting the breadth and quality of education in the College sector.
Principal of Aberdeen College, Rob Wallen, said: “It is an honour for the College to receive this award in relation to the work undertaken with Grampian Fire and Rescue Service to increase opportunities and access to learning. The partnership programme has opened doors for over four hundred people to participate in education and skill building courses. Aberdeen College will continue to work with Grampian Fire and Rescue Service to build upon this success and maintain their commitment to increasing education facilities within local communities.”
Aberdeen College will host a local celebration event in the New Year and will be presented with the Award by the Rt. Hon. Kevin Brennan MP, Minister of State for Further Education, at a national presentation ceremony due to be held at Westminster in February 2010.
The College and GFRS were also recently awarded a prestigious Herald Society Award for Collaboration which was presented during a gala evening held at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow in October. This award celebrates outstanding examples of teamwork in the public and/or voluntary sector and entries are required to demonstrate forward-thinking collaborative work which benefits communities or service users.
Peter Murray, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Grampian Fire and Rescue Service said; “GFRS is extremely pleased that its partnership with Aberdeen College has been recognised by winning the Herald Society Collaboration Award. The partnership has created opportunities for communities to access learning in these unique locations, which may otherwise not have been available”.
Both awards provide national recognition for excellence and innovation and highlight the breadth and quality of education in the College sector.
