FE Hall of Fame: why you need to engage your alumni

As college governors, we spend plenty of time discussing financial sustainability, curriculum quality and learner outcomes. Quite rightly – there is always a packed agenda and rarely a shortage of spreadsheets.

But the impact of a college continues long after a student completes their qualification. What happens next, the careers they build, the people they inspire and the contributions they make, deserves our attention too.

That is why I would encourage colleges to nominate former students for the Association of Colleges’ FE Hall of Fame. Our experience at Solihull College & University Centre has given us plenty of reasons to do so.

Last year, we put forward former civil engineering apprentice Santina Bunting, who was successfully inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Santina began her apprenticeship at the age of 16, combining college studies with working for Arup. She was the only person in her school year to choose an apprenticeship after GCSEs. She completed her Level 3 qualification with a distinction and progressed to a degree apprenticeship, contributing to international infrastructure projects along the way.

She has recently featured in the Department for Education’s Skills for Life campaign, helping young people and their parents understand the opportunities available through technical education

It's quite a journey from making that first decision at 16.

For our college, the nomination was an opportunity to bring her achievements together and recognise both her professional progress and her commitment to supporting others. Seeing her receive national recognition was a proud moment and a powerful reminder of why our work matters.  

It gave us a compelling story to share with learners, parents and employers. Here was someone who had taken a route available through our college and shown where ambition, commitment and the right support could lead.

There is also something special about seeing the staff who helped a student along the way share in that recognition. Behind every achievement are people who taught, encouraged, challenged and supported. Celebrating a former student gives us an opportunity to acknowledge their contribution too.

What particularly matters to me is Santina’s continuing connection with the college and the local business community. She works with us to inspire the next generation and champions women in engineering and people from underrepresented backgrounds.

For current learners, that connection has real value. Someone who has sat where they sit can make a future career feel achievable. They can talk honestly about the decisions, challenges and opportunities along the way.

A prospectus can explain the route. A former student can show where it leads.

That is why alumni engagement is so important. Former students bring experience, credibility and a perspective we cannot reproduce through course information alone.

Keeping those relationships alive can also create opportunities for mentoring, careers talks, employer introductions and feedback on how well our provision prepares people for work. These connections take care and effort, but they can enrich the experience of those studying with us today.

Santina’s example also reminds us to think carefully about how we communicate the value of further education. Colleges have excellent courses, facilities and qualifications to promote. Our alumni help us explain what those things make possible. Their stories bring progression, confidence, inspiration and opportunity to life. They give employers and communities a clearer understanding of the contribution colleges make.

The Hall of Fame offers a national platform for that contribution. Importantly, AoC’s criteria include recent, tangible engagement with the nominee’s college and community, together with plans for continued involvement. This makes the strength of the ongoing relationship part of the story.

For governors and leadership teams, the invitation to nominate is a useful prompt.

How well do we know our former students? Whose achievements should we be celebrating? Are we giving colleagues across the college the opportunity to suggest someone?

Each college group can submit one nomination, so my advice is to allow time to identify a strong candidate, speak with them and gather the evidence that does their story justice.

Our experience with Santina has reinforced the value of taking that time. We gained a moment of immense shared pride, a stronger story about the impact of our college and another opportunity to celebrate someone who continues to give back.

Somewhere in your alumni community, there may be someone whose achievements deserve a bigger stage. 

By Susie Ankrett, Governor, Solihull College & University Centre