South West College (SWC) is honoured to announce its selection as a finalist in the highly esteemed Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards 2024/2025. The College has been recognised for its exceptional work in sustainability by being shortlisted for the Sustainable Energy First Award for Education for Sustainable Development.
The AoC Beacon Awards celebrate innovation and excellence across UK further education colleges. The Sustainable Energy First Award specifically highlights colleges that have a transformative impact on their students, communities, and economies. The finalists were revealed during the AoC Annual Conference on 12 November 2024, with winners to be announced in March 2025.
This recognition underscores South West College’s pioneering role in sustainability and climate awareness. Through the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals and creating its own Net Zero Action Plan, the College has integrated environmental conservation, wellbeing, community development, and sustainable business practices into its ethos.
A key highlight is the £30 million Erne Campus, the world’s first Passive House Premium-certified building of its size and the UK’s first educational facility to achieve BREEAM Outstanding status. This flagship project demonstrates SWC’s commitment to cutting-edge sustainable infrastructure. Additionally, the College’s Bronze Carbon Literate Educator accreditation highlights its leadership in embedding carbon literacy into education.
Reflecting on this achievement, SWC Sustainability Officer Supriya Foster said:
“Our College has been developing expertise in sustainability for over 10 years through significant projects in transport, bioenergy, and sustainable construction. Being named a Beacon Award Finalist is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and students over the years. We are incredibly proud of the hard work of our staff and students in the delivery of our sustainability and Net Zero targets”
As South West College awaits the final results in March 2025, it remains dedicated to advancing sustainable education and shaping a greener future.