College has long tradition in education.

HARTLEPOOL College of Further Education's Division of Teacher Education and Management Studies has a long tradition of delivering higher education courses.

The portfolio of courses extends to foundation degrees, a BA (Honours) programme and professional qualifications in teacher education, management and leadership.

All of the higher education courses are offered on a part-time basis and all of the learners work on a full-time basis.

Sue Abbey is the perfect embodiment of lifelong learning. Sue first came to the college to study for a Level 2 teaching assistants' course.

She progressed to get a Level 3 qualification and in 2008/09 will complete the foundation degree in Early Years.

From here, Sue aims to top up her foundation degree qualification as she will follow a BA programme at Teesside University.

Sue has recently been appointed as a governor at Seaton Carew nursery.

The Advanced Professional Certificate in management studies is the equivalent of half a masters degree and has been delivered by Hartlepool College of Further Education for nearly ten years.

The students follow topics such as finance, human resource management, strategic management and managing change.

The year-long course culminates with the students producing a 12,000 word research project. NSK Bearing's Keith Slater said of the research project and course in general: "At the beginning, this project appeared to be a bit daunting, what with me having no experience at writing a large piece of literature at this level of professionalism.

"All elements of the Advanced Professional Certificate in management studies have contributed towards my progress and this, in some way, has contributed towards the final piece of work."

CAPTION(S):

DAVID WADDINGTON: Principal of Hartlepool college of further education