1999
The Birth of the New – we create Capita Further and Higher Education (Capita FHE) from FEMIS/EMIS, DITA and Dolphin, the leading brands in post-16 education at the time.
2001
An incredibly exciting time for Capita FHE! We start the huge process of re-writing our existing suite of educational software to reflect the changing face of the sector. It is a massive investment and we recruit leading business analysts to manage the re-write, testing and release of a comprehensive range of core modules, covering everything from curriculum to timetabling and examinations.
We name the new suite UNIT-e.
UNIT-e will mark a giant leap into the future which allows learners to be managed centrally thanks to the innovative integration of the software modules. This approach pays dividends as it enables us to add to the original suite with the minimum of disruption so we can respond quickly to industry demands.
2002
We hold the first Annual National Conference in the idyllic surroundings of The Belfry Hotel in Warwickshire. It is our way of showing our commitment and thanks to our customers and others who have supported us.
UNIT-e is launched – Capita FHE’s incredibly versatile software suite.
2003
This is the year Capita FHE realises a long-held ambition to recognise the extraordinary achievements and innovations of some of our colleges and universities. We launch the Site of Excellence Scheme and the first award goes to Totton College in Hampshire. The scheme is now well established and colleges from Scotland to the Channel Islands apply every year. To become a Site of Excellence, they must demonstrate progressive, strategic and often creative use of our UNIT-e software.
2005
We are thrilled when we secure the support of the most influential man in further education in 2005, namely Sir Andrew Foster, who was commissioned by the government to write a report on the role of further education colleges. Sir Andrew joins us as a member of our panel at the AoC National Conference and discusses the recommendations made in his seminal report, which is hot off the press.
This is also the year that Capita FHE completes another substantial product development undertaking – the launch of the HE version of UNIT-e.
2006
Capita FHE proves it has its finger on the industry’s pulse by launching its Vocational Qualifications Management and Tracking (VQMT) software in 2006 as we recognise that the government focus is increasingly on the skills agenda. Our predictions are proven to be correct when Lord Leitch publishes his report on UK Skills in December, advising on how the UK could be a world leader on skills by 2020.
2006
We get our own award! Capita FHE’s innovative and comprehensive use of Microsoft products is recognised as we achieve Microsoft Gold Partner status.
2007
A gratifying year for Capita FHE, as we introduce a £10,000 award called Inspire to help fund an FE college’s community enrichment project. We receive over 30 wonderful entries and choose The College of North East London as our first winner. They use the prize money to develop taster construction courses aimed at black and minority ethnic women, lone parents, the unemployed and refugees in the London Borough of Haringey. The scheme is run by female trainers to help women, who for cultural reasons, feel more comfortable with their own gender – truly inspirational!
2008
Proud to be part of the British Isles – by December 2008 we have versions of UNIT-e for every country in the UK. And our commitment doesn’t stop there – we also hold our first Scottish Convention in Edinburgh at the Royal College of Surgeons.
2009
Once again Capita FHE is ready to adapt to the latest requirements of its customers. This time, we embrace the new teaching/lecturing status in the FE sector with our HR solution. This reflects our leading position within the industry and we are now working in over 200 colleges and HE institutions across the country.