Solihull College & University Centre alumna, Santina Bunting, has been inducted into the esteemed Association of Colleges’ FE Hall of Fame.
The FE Hall of Fame honours the outstanding contributions made by further education alumni to their college community and beyond. Each year, alumni are chosen from dozens of entries from colleges across the country. Santina joins the likes of singer and West End star Shaun Escoffery, rugby legend Kevin Sinfield, and Michelin-star chef Michael Caines MBE.
Santina is being recognised for her achievements within the field of Civil Engineering as well as her positive efforts in inspiring the next generation of college students.
Santina was the only student in her year at school to take on an apprenticeship at 16, working at Arup, a global engineering consultancy firm, alongside her college work. She successfully completed her course with a Distinction in just two years.
She now works as a Civil Engineering Technician while working on her second-year Degree apprenticeship at Arup where she leads on geotechnical data for global infrastructure projects across India, Saudi Arabia, and Uganda.
Santina comments: “At just 20, it’s an incredible honour to be inducted into the AoC Hall of Fame. I began my career at 16 as the only one out of 150 students to choose an apprenticeship, and I’ve never looked back. Further Education gave me the opportunity to combine college study with real-world experience, and that foundation has enabled me to progress to a degree apprenticeship while working on major infrastructure projects.
“FE opened doors I never imagined, from speaking at the House of Lords to visiting 10 Downing Street, and this award shows what’s possible when you believe in yourself and embrace the opportunities FE provides. What makes this even more special is that my mum and brother also studied at Solihull College, so there’s a real sense of family legacy in this achievement!”
Santina has been crowned the youngest-ever overall winner at the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Awards, and is also Lead Rep for Arup Birmingham’s Early Careers Programme where she champions over 250 peers.
She has returned to college to speak at a careers conference on apprenticeships, and she also attends the Solihull Employment and Skills Board alongside the College’s Deputy Principal, where she helps shape strategic decisions that affect the next generation of talent.
Santina actively supports the College’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion agenda, and was shortlisted in the Future Leader category at the Ethnicity Awards 2025.
Further recognition includes a Highly Commended result in the Engineering and Manufacturing category of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards in 2023.
Santina is also a panel member for the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), where she helped shape the outcomes of the 2022 National Apprenticeship Survey.
Principal of Solihull College & University Centre, Dr Rebecca Gater, is delighted Santina’s achievements have been recognised: “We are immensely proud of Santina Bunting for being inducted into AoC’s FE Hall of Fame. This recognition celebrates her outstanding contribution to Further Education and her unwavering commitment to empowering learners and colleagues alike. Santina exemplifies the values and ambition of our sector, and her journey from GCSEs to becoming a trailblazer in civil engineering is nothing short of inspirational. Her academic excellence, professional achievements, and advocacy for apprenticeships demonstrate the transformative power of Further Education, and we are thrilled to see her achievements honoured nationally.”
David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges, commented: “Colleges across the country offer high-quality teaching and training day-in day-out, and there are millions of people across the world who can thank further education for setting them on the path to success.
“We know that to thrive in the world beyond college, learners need more than grades and certificates; they need to have had real-life experiences and access to role models from their community who can demonstrate what’s possible in the world of work.
“That’s why our FE Hall of Fame is so powerful; only those alumni who have gone on to succeed in their respective fields and then returned to college to inspire and encourage current students, are inducted.
“I am so pleased that two more people are joining the Hall of Fame this year, and I want to say congratulations to both them and their colleges and thank them for their dedication and time in supporting the next generation of workers.”
