College programme earns national acclaim

A North East skills programme has earned major national acclaim.

Gateshead College’s PlanBEE programme has been awarded a prestigious Queen Elizabeth Prize for Higher and Further Education, coinciding with the college’s 80th anniversary. 

The accolade, part of the UK’s national honours system, recognises institutions whose work demonstrates excellence, innovation and meaningful impact.

Developed in partnership with Ryder Architecture, PlanBEE was launched in 2016 to address skills shortages in the built environment and construction sectors. 

Backed by more than 70 employers nationwide, the programme blends academic study with hands-on placements, offering apprentices six rotational experiences across roles in architecture, engineering, project management, quantity surveying and digital design.

Its employer-led structure has delivered more than 850 industry placements to date and achieved a 98 per cent progression rate into jobs or further study. 

David Alexander, principal of Gateshead College, said: “This is a tremendous honour for our college. 

“It recognises the innovative partnership approach we’ve taken with industry to tackle skills shortages, and it’s a powerful endorsement of the impact the PlanBEE programme has made. 

“This honour wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our team, our incredible sponsors, and the talented apprentices who’ve helped make it the success it is today. It’s especially fitting to receive this recognition as we mark the college’s 80th birthday giving us even more reason to celebrate.” 

Mark Thompson, managing director at Ryder Architecture, added: “When we first set out to create PlanBEE, I spoke to universities and professional institutes across the country, but many simply couldn’t move at the pace our fast-changing industry demands. 

“We needed a partner who understood the urgency and the bigger picture. 

“Gateshead College’s commitment, ambition and ‘can-do’ approach never faltered. 

“Together we’ve created a collaborative programme that brings the sector together in a completely new way. 

“To see PlanBEE recognised with this national honour is a testament to that partnership. 

“It shows what can be achieved when industry and education work side by side with shared purpose and real determination and I’m grateful to all those who invested in the vision from the outset, it wouldn’t have happened without them.” 

Success in the North East has also seen the model expand to Manchester in 2020 and London in 2023, with new specialist strands introduced in rail and cyber to meet national workforce needs.

Sir Damon Buffini, chair of the Royal Anniversary Trust, added: “The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education celebrate the power of education to change the world for the better. 

“This much-loved national honour recognises, at the highest level of state, outstanding work in UK universities and colleges, and the remarkable benefit they bring to our economy, society and the wider world. 

“This year we are delighted to honour 19 institutions whose work offers an inspiring snapshot of the excellent and innovative work going on in universities and colleges across the UK. Congratulations all!” 

The prize will be formally presented at an investiture ceremony next February. 

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