THE motivational Military Preparation College for Training (MPCT) group, which helps many young people to build life skills, self-confidence and physical fitness through an ‘active learning’ approach, scooped the top prize at the Times Education Supplement (TES) Further Education Awards 2017.

MPCT was one of eight training providers shortlisted for the national accolade. The award win coincides with MPCT winning a place on the Sunday Times Best 100 Small Companies To Work For list.

Meanwhile, new data from the Department of Education has shown that MPCT’s network of Military Preparation Colleges, including Farnborough’s, are stealing a march on other sixth form colleges when it comes to qualifications in employability and preparation for life and work.

In the most recent Quality Achievement Rates , 93.1 per cent of MPCT’s learners gained an Award in Employability Skills (against the national result of 88.8 per cent), and 98 per cent of learners received a Certificate in Employability (compared to national result of 83.4 per cent).

It also shows 82.4 per cent of MPCT learners are prepared for life and work, compared with the national average of 66.4 per cent. The college has also helped 74.6 per cent of its young people to achieve basic skills in maths and English, a steep rise on the national average of 54.8 per cent.

Huw Lewis MBE, founder and managing director of MPCT, said: “The TES FE awards celebrate the people who are committed to making a big contribution to supporting the skill levels of young people, and that’s at the heart of everything we do.

“We believe that every young person, no matter their background or past obstacles they may have faced, deserves to be given the best possible opportunity to succeed.

“Our ‘roll on, roll off’ approach really works, unlike other colleges, we allow learners to be with us for as long, or as little, as they need to accomplish their personal goals. Many of our learners have struggled in compulsory education, but really thrive when they approach learning in a whole new way.”

For more information about the college go to www.mpct.co.uk or call 08442 438438.