Colin Jackson CBE Celebrates Achievements of Learners From Across The South East

“

Learners and employers from across the South East recently celebrated their success in vocational training at the inaugural LSC South East Learning and Skills Awards.

The event was hosted by former Olympic athlete, Colin Jackson CBE, who presented the awards to winners, while ITV Meridian news presenter Mary Green, hosted the glittering dinner and prize-giving ceremony on Thursday 26 April 2007.

Winners at this inspiring event included individuals who overcame adversity to achieve qualifications, and those who returned to learning after long breaks away from formal training. Employers in the region were also recognised for their commitment to running Apprenticeship programmes that up-skill their workforce and improve the local economy.

Commenting on the prestigious awards ceremony, Henry Ball, Regional Director for the LSC South East, said: “The LSC South East Learning and Skills Awards were a great success. Our heartfelt congratulations go out to all finalists ““ for their achievements and for making this such an awesome event.”

This year, the awards were expanded from the Apprenticeship Awards with the introduction of three new categories. These were the Skills for Life Plus Award, the Offender’s Learning and Achievement Award and the Train to Gain Learner Award.

The Skills for Life Plus Award is designed to acknowledge and celebrate learners who have undertaken a significant learning journey to achieve a nationally-recognised Skills for Life qualification and a first full Level 2 vocational programme.

The Offender’s Learning and Achievement Award acknowledges the success of an individual who has turned their life around through continuous development, while serving a community sentence or following release from a custodial setting. The winner of this award is expected to show a commitment to education and training to gain employment, and how learning has reduced their likelihood of re-offending.

And the final new award is the Train to Gain Learner Award, which acknowledges the superb work that is being undertaken in the development of skills in the workplace by an employer or employee.

All South East finalists in the Apprenticeship categories have been entered into the National Apprenticeship Awards that take place in June 2007 at the Hilton Park Lane, London.

Here are the winners recognised at the Awards”¦

– John Hutchinson – Train to Gain Outstanding Learner Award 2007- Nutley Motor Services Limited – Micro Employer of the Year Award 2007- Phoebes – Small Employer of the Year Award 2007- First Steps Childcare ““ Medium Employer of the Year Award 2007 – AWE plc ““ Large Employer of the Year Award 2007-Alice Le Good – Young Apprenticeship of the Year 2007- Victoria Nebbett- Apprentice of the Year 2007- Will Harlow – Advance Apprentice of the Year 2007- Tania Kosma – Personal Achiever of the Year 2007- Jiminae O”Halloran – Skills for Life Plus Learner of the Year 2007- Jade Fisher – Offender’s Learning and Achievement Learner of the Year 2007