A HAMPSHIRE college has been shortlisted for a national award.

Fareham College will put their skills to the test against other contenders from around the country in the TES Further Education awards.

They have been nominated in the apprenticeship programmer of the year - which organisers say recognises "the most outstanding individuals and institutions that the FE sector has to offer."

As reported last year the college was named college of the year - pipping thousands of other colleges around the country to the coveted title.

Now it's the civil engineering and groundworks apprenticeship which is up for an award - which college teachers say was created in response to a regional skills shortage resulting from an ageing workforce, a boom in new-build projects and current insufficient levels of training, all believed to be hindering civil engineering growth and expansion in the south of England.

Directors at the college say they set up the course with group of 11 local civil engineering employers and created the Solent Civil Engineering Employers Group to address the issues.

Nigel Duncan, Principal of Fareham College, added: “At Fareham College we recognise the important role apprenticeships play in supporting industry and equipping young people with the confidence and technical skills to succeed in the workplace. In recent years, we have invested significantly in apprenticeships provision, which has resulted in nearly 1000 apprentices now studying annually at the College.

“I’m extremely proud of the success of our apprenticeship programme and its strong reputation among businesses, and am delighted this has led to it being shortlisted for this prestigious award.”

The winners will be revealed at a gala awards evening at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on Friday 22 March 2019.