More than 3,000 students and 300 apprentices are benefitting from enhanced learning facilities and opportunities at Riseholme College’s Showground Campus thanks to £7 million in funding from the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Growth Deal allocation.
Opportunities to study a range of qualifications from agriculture to applied science complement the LEP’s inception of the UK Food Valley, which will position Greater Lincolnshire’s UK-leading food sector as a top 10 global food cluster.
More than 3,250 further education students have benefitted from the state-of the art facilities since the project was completed, with numbers rising year-on-yerar, even through Covid.
Chief Executive and Principal Bill Meredith said: “Being able to provide over 3,000 students with access to the college’s outstanding provision thanks to this investment is a fantastic achievement.
“An inspiring and engaging learning environment in combination with our specialist technical education, specifically designed to prepare students for industry, is paying dividends with our student achievement rates more than 6.5% higher than the national average.”
Agriculture student Eleanor Hopper completed her BTEC Level 3 Agricultural Diploma, and moved straight into industry and is now a farm assistant at a farm in nearby Langworth. This role enables her to apply all the practical and theoretical knowledge acquired during her course, including crop production, livestock husbandry and machinery operations. Through her broad experience across countryside management, arable and livestock, Eleanor is making a worthwhile and valuable contribution to her employer and the wider region.
Animal Management student Sam Sherriff has benefited from the enhanced animal behaviour facilities throughout his studies for a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma. Showing an aptitude for lab-based work, Sam was awarded Silver in the Pearson’s BTEC Land-based Learner of the Year Awards 2021. Rather than moving into employment following graduation, Sam progressed to develop higher-level skills with a degree in Zoo Management, which will significantly improve his employability and ability to contribute to the region’s economy.
