We’re incredibly proud to announce that Nottingham College has been selected as a finalist in the BRILLIANT Awards 2026, in the Colleges & Universities Future Skills Award category.
The recognition is for FutureHER, an initiative created and led by Kate Whyles, Digital Innovation and Development Coach at Nottingham College, as a strategic expansion of the College’s WiSTEM community. FutureHER was developed to help tackle three significant challenges: digital poverty, gender inequality and future skills shortages, while helping more young women see, access and believe in their place within STEM, digital and emerging industries. This event took place in March 2026, aligned with International Women's Day.
FutureHER grew from a simple but important challenge: too many capable young women cannot access, see, or believe in pathways into future-facing careers, while industries simultaneously face shortages in digital, engineering, and innovation skills. Rather than approaching careers education in a traditional way, FutureHER gives learners immersive, hands-on and real-world experiences. Students explore AI, VR, automation and digital creation tools, connect with industry leaders and relatable female role models, and discover pathways into apprenticeships, higher education and future careers.
FutureHER has also strengthened connections with employers, universities, research institutions, and industry leaders, giving students greater visibility into progression opportunities and helping ensure their learning aligns with future workforce needs.
Changing who participates in the future
Being named a BRILLIANT Awards finalist is fantastic recognition of Nottingham College's commitment to innovation, inclusion, aspiration and future skills.
FutureHER is about more than introducing learners to technology. It’s about helping young people recognise their own potential, challenging underrepresentation in STEM and creating more inclusive pathways into the future workforce.
“It doesn’t just prepare students for the future. It changes who participates in it.” - Kate Whyles (Founder of FutureHer and Digital Innovation and Development Coach)
The big day:
The winners will be announced at the BRILLIANT Festival on Tuesday 10th November 2026, with the awards ceremony taking place at 3:55pm in the BRILLIANT Keynote Theatre, Exhibition Centre Liverpool.
We’re incredibly excited to see FutureHER and Nottingham College recognised on a national stage, and we’ll be keeping everything crossed for November!
More information about the BRILLIANT festival: About BRILLIANT Festival | 10th November 2026 — Brilliant Festival