A lecturer from Newcastle College has been shortlisted for a regional tech award for ‘revitalising the department’.
Corey Veitch-McAllister, Digital Technologies Lecturer and a second-year teaching student has been shortlisted for the Rising Star and People’s Choice awards at the annual Dynamites awards.
Nominated by Kevin Hillary, Head of Digital Technologies, Corey has made it to the final four of the Rising Star category. He also features on the People’s Choice list. Kevin said: “Corey has revitalised our department and inspired a new generation of learners to get involved with coding and digital. He has received numerous positive comments from students, increased attendance in all his sessions and promoted progression from further education to higher education which will support the regional skills gap. He thoroughly deserves to be on that shortlist!”
The nomination comes at a fantastic time for Newcastle College’s Digital Technologies department, with a multi-million pound investment into facilities including the installation a first-of-its-kind interactive Powerwall, and four new bespoke digital laboratories dedicated to cyber security and immersive technology. The department has also purchased state of the art wireless full motion capture suits, AI robots and VR headsets as part of a recent investment programme funded by the Office for Students (OfS).
The government's flagship Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) have been launched and include a Networking and Cyber Security degree, which has been co-created with industry professionals and has the official backing of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
The investment into facilities and brand new HE qualifications ensures that Newcastle College University Centre, which has this year become the first in the FE sector to be awarded the indefinite power to develop and award degrees, is ready to respond to the fast-changing needs of the digital sector.
Jon Ridley, Deputy Principal (HE) at Newcastle College, added: “Aligning to local priorities is key for us here at Newcastle College and at our University Centre. We are here to prepare the North East’s future workforce for a successful career here in the region. We want to provide our students with life changing opportunities through quality, higher technical education and the chance to train and study in sector standard, leading edge facilities. There is no better time to study with us for a degree in digital technologies.”