You often read of how a company or business measures its success - by reporting growing profits, or a growing number of satisfied customers. By publishing their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) they are able to maintain the confidence of their stakeholders in their ability to perform. But not many people are aware that Colleges also have KPIs and continually monitor the success of their students throughout the year.
Figures recently reported by North East Scotland College (NESCol) for academic year 2015/16, not only highlight continuous improvement, but exceed national averages.
- 1% of Higher Education full time students completed their studies. The pass rate for HE programmes (HNC/HND) was 77.1%; the highest achieved in the last five years and 5% above the sector average.
- 18-24 year olds were the highest to successfully complete their studies with 74.9% achieving their awards.
- Furthermore, 77.3% of Further Education full time students completed their studies in the year with 67.4% achieving their award. (This is 2% above the national average.)
Principal Liz McIntyre explains how the College is able to achieve these excellent results:
“The purpose of the indicators is to inform the College Regional Board, the communities it serves, and stakeholders about the performance of the college.
“We monitor our programmes to ensure they are relevant to both students and employers, offering qualifications that are respected and recognised nationally and internationally.
“Where student performance is below its expectation the College reviews its programmes, teaching methods, recruitment and the support that is given to students to see where improvements can be made.”
Other results for 2015/16 include:
- Over 80% of Further Education students studying Media, Nautical Studies, and Languages & ESOL achieved their awards.
- The highest success rates for HE programmes were achieved in Construction with 87% achieving their awards.
- Male success rates were slightly higher in Further Education programmes and female success rates were higher in Higher Education programmes.
- The success rate for learners sponsored by their employers is high at 80%.
Regional Chair Ken Milroy said of the latest figures, “This is an excellent result and is testament to the hard work and commitment of college staff. The Regional Board is confident that NESCol will continue to provide a high quality provision which will impact positively on the region.