A COLLEGE in Eastleigh has become the first in Hampshire to achieve a new national standard in careers.

After 15 months of assessment and scrutiny, Eastleigh College has been recognised for its "inclusive and career-focused" education it provides to students, after achieving the new national "Quality in Careers" standard, awarded by Investor in Careers.

This was awarded to the college when it met all eight of the career guidance benchmarks - known as the "Gatsby Benchmarks" - which include having a stable careers programme, addressing the needs of each pupil, and ensuring that students have encounters with employers and experience of workplaces.

Darren Coventry, Eastleigh College's Vice Principal, said: "We were well placed, as our Learner Journey and Careers teams already worked with universities, employers and industry experts gaining local labour market intelligence and delivering excellent career and progression guidance to our learners. However, this achievement is as a result of a whole college approach - involving tutors, support staff and governors.

"This accreditation reflects our whole college approach to providing opportunity and instilling excellence. It is the latest in a series of recent high profile accolades including national government data ranking Eastleigh College the best in Hampshire for student achievement."

Eastleigh College’s "whole college approach" was recognised by Investor in Careers, which identified the good practices already in place.

The college's tutors are all industry experts, who use up-to-date and relevant information, making connections between classroom learning and young people’s aspirations into apprenticeships, university or directly into work.

One example is University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust joining forces with Eastleigh College to provide an exclusive level three course, that provides a qualification as well as hands-on-skills for those wishing to work in healthcare.