12/9/25 For immediate release
New College Durham has been awarded Advanced Accreditation in the North East Combined Authority’s SHINE Awards – the highest level of recognition for workplace excellence.
The SHINE programme celebrates employers who are committed to fair work, inclusivity, and opportunity. Achieving Advanced Accreditation means New College Durham has demonstrated outstanding practice across all five beams of the SHINE framework: employee wellbeing, community impact, employee voice, opportunity for all, and fair work and pay.
Deputy Principal of New College Durham, Alison Maynard, said: “We are delighted to have achieved Advanced SHINE Accreditation. This award recognises the hard work and dedication of our staff, and our commitment to building a supportive, inclusive, and fair environment for everyone at New College Durham. This award highlights New College Durham as an employer of choice in the North East and reinforces our mission to create a positive impact on staff, students, and the wider community."
The five 'Beams' which the college successfully achieved include:
Employee Wellbeing – supporting staff health, happiness, and safety.
Community Impact – making a difference beyond the workplace.
Employee Voice – ensuring every voice is valued and heard.
Opportunity for All – promoting fairness, inclusivity, and equality
Fair Work and Pay – upholding high standards of fairness and transparency.
Alison added: "The college strives to put wellbeing at the heart of its community, listen and act on the voices of staff and champion equality and inclusivity in every part of their work. We also makes a positive local impact by connecting learning with the wider region and remains committed to fair pay and ethical standards at every level."