Kevin Pollard has been Awarded a Technical Teaching Fellowship

Kevin Pollard has been Awarded a Technical Teaching Fellowship

Kevin Pollard, Training Transformation Faculty Manager here at MKC Training, has been awarded a Technical Teaching Fellowship for the 2023–24 academic year!

Fellowships are awarded jointly by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) and Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 with the aim of promoting excellence in technical STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) teaching in Further Education.

The Technical Teaching Fellowships were established in 2018 with Fellows being announced annually since 2019. These fellowships aim to promote excellence in technical teaching in Further Education. Further details, including details of previous Fellows and reflections on their activity, are available on the Technical Teaching Fellowships page of the ETF website.

Kevin Pollard, Training Transformation Faculty Manager at MKC Training

Kevin Pollard spoke of what this award means to him:

“I am humbled to have been put forward by MKC Training for the Technical Teaching Fellowship Award for the 2023–24 academic year. To be selected for the award provides confirmation of the work carried out by the Transformation team working alongside our amazing colleagues within MKC Training and our partners here within the RSME. This Fellowship aims to expand Training Transformations current success in designing immersive technology-based training for the Armed Forces into FE and skills, with a particular emphasis on construction, renewables and healthcare technical teaching. The opportunity to work alongside others at national and regional conferences to further develop knowledge and skills, whilst maximizing the sharing of best practice is privilege that is not taken lightly”.

Technical Teaching Fellowship Commitment

Fellows are expected to develop knowledge exchange and transfer activities to maximise the benefit of their Fellowships, sharing and disseminating their effective practice at national and regional conferences and contributing to CPD facilitation, and the delivery of a final report to engage technical education practitioners in their area of subject specialist expertise. They receive a financial award to support their activity and guarantee remission time. They also become Fellows of both the Royal Commission and the Society for Education and Training. As alumni of the programme, they remain part of a technical community of practice that works sustainably to further support excellence in STEM teaching.

Mike Garrod, Managing Director at MKC Training

Our Managing Director, Mike Garrod, had this to add:

“The Technical Teaching Fellowship is a fantastic personal achievement for Kevin and recognises his commitment and passion for designing immersive training. More widely, the Fellowship will provide Kevin, his team and MKC Training with a wonderful opportunity to learn from and support other professionals across the FE and Skills sector.”

Kevin leads a team with a key role in designing technology enhanced learning. His Fellowship will aim to expand his team’s current success in designing immersive technology-based training for the Armed Forces into FE and skills, with a particular emphasis on construction, renewables, and healthcare technical teaching.

Kevin will be formally presented with his award at a celebration event at the Royal Society on 3 March 2023, along with the other Fellows selected for the 2023–24 academic year: Paul Gartside of South Central Institute/MK (Milton Keynes) College, Amy Hollier of Heart of Worcestershire College, and Bradley Collier and Kumaran Rajarathinam of Blackburn College.

Cerian Ayres, the Education and Training Foundation’s National Head of Technical Education, said:

“Our congratulations go to the successful applicants for the 2023–24 Technical Teaching Fellowships. These awards recognise leading lights in technical education across Further Education and Training, supporting them to share their practice for the benefit of the whole sector. Fellows join a community of practice that has a demonstrable, sustainable impact and we look forward to working with them as they follow in their predecessors’ footsteps, enhancing and strengthening the capability of technical teaching and helping to address the economic, social, environmental and climate challenges the world is facing.”

Applications for Technical Teaching Fellowships are assessed against criteria including the demonstration of effective approaches to improving teaching and learning in technical STEM education, the potential to inspire others, and the planning of professional development opportunities to impact positively on other teachers’ pedagogy and professional practice.

Professor Dame Ann Dowling OM FRS FREng, Commissioner and chair of the Industry and Engineering Committee of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, said:

“An effective and highly regarded FE sector is vital to developing and maintaining the skilled workforce so needed by businesses across the UK. I am delighted that these awards recognise and celebrate outstanding teachers in Further Education. I have been particularly impressed by the way previous recipients have used their Technical Teaching Fellowships to extend the visibility and reach of their work. Through working with employers, driving curriculum developments, sharing best practice, and inspiring others, they are supporting widespread improvements in technical teaching to the benefit of many learners.”

Royal Commission for the Exhibition 1851 History

The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 was founded to promote arts, manufacture, and industry by means of a great collection that was exhibited in London in 1851. Its educational trust was established in 1891 and has been responsible for the creation of more than 150 Fellows of the Royal Society and 13 Nobel Prize winners.

Its current awards programme includes Science & Engineering Research Fellowships, Industrial Fellowships, Industrial Design Studentships, Enterprise Fellowships (awarded with the Royal Academy of Engineering), Fellowships in the Built Environment, Fellowships in Design and Fellowships in Regenerative Design.

For further details about the Royal Commission for the Exhibition, visit the Royal Commission website.