Festival of Learning announces shortlisted award nominees for 2021

Festival of Learning is the biggest celebration of lifelong learning in England. The campaign, which has been running since 1992, is led by Learning and Work Institute. It is supported by the Department for Education, NOCN, Education and Training Foundation, Skills and Education Group, City Lit and the WEA.

The nominees include inspiring individual learners, outstanding tutors, innovative provision, and leading employers who have demonstrated a commitment to investing in skills.

The shortlisted nominees are:

Aidan Wright, Bradford College

CARAS Adult ESOL Project, CARAS

Craven College, Craven College

Daya Mohindra, Hounslow Adult and Community Learning

Georgie McGregor, Chesterfield College

Get into Working in Construction with CSCS Card, Hopwood Hall College

Haringey Adult Learning, Haringey Adult and Community Learning

Hasan Jasim, North Yorkshire County Council

Igloo Energy, City College Southampton

Jackie Sudworth, Knowsley Council

Jennifer Harding, HIT

Jonathan Katula, New City College

Jose Aguiar, Novus

Joshua Wolfe, Grimsby Institute

Karen Davies, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Karen Woods, Buckinghamshire Adult Learning

Keep Learning, Keep Well, Skills & Learning Adult Community Education – Dorset

Kiera Byland, Bolton College

Kirsty Young, Helena Kennedy Foundation

Matthew Turner, Bradford College

Michéle Beck, Doncaster Adult Family and Community Learning

Naomi-Louize Slymon, Bolton College

Narges Motohamelian, Leicester College

Nicola Williams, Haringey Adult and Community Learning

Nikki-Ann Wyatt, Trafford College Group

Nina Gorman, Bolton College

Paul Ackroyd, Unite the Union

Razia Fez, Redbridge Institute of Adult Education

Rosie Wainwright, Helena Kennedy Foundation

Runa Lyla, Oldham Lifelong Learning

Salts Healthcare LTD, Birmingham Metropolitan College

Shafeeq Muhammad, QA

West of England Institute of Technology, Weston College

Stephen Evans, chief executive at Learning and Work Institute said:

“Lifelong learning can make such a difference to people’s lives, career prospects and communities. Over the last year, adult learning providers and practitioners have risen to the challenge of widening access to learning.

“Our Festival of Learning awards help to celebrate the transformative power of learning by recognising inspirational learners, tutors and providers. We hope that they help encourage and inspire many more adults to take part in learning.” 

The winners of the prestigious awards will be selected by a panel of key learning and skills leaders and revealed at an online awards ceremony on 6 July.