VQ Awards

Craig Biggins
North East Learner of the Year, Apprenticeship Wall and Floor Tiling and Advanced Apprenticeship Wall and Floor Tiling

Craig joined P. Plunkett Tiling Contractors in 2006 at the age of 19 and began a Wall and Floor Tiling apprenticeship with Northumberland College.  He progressed onto the Advanced Apprenticeship in 2008. After completing his training, Craig won his Regional Skillbuild heat (with the highest score in the competition's history) before taking top place in the National Final.  Subsequently, Craig has been awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the Tile Association at their 2010 annual awards.  Age restrictions meant Craig could not compete in the World Skills Competition but his eye for detail was recognised when he was invited by UK Skills to be an Apprentice Judge at the 2010 Skillbuild competition.

Jordan Foster
North West Learner of the Year, N.V.Q 2 Professional Cookery

Wishing to pursue a career in the hospitality industry, Jordan chose to study at the La Sallian training restaurant, based at the De La Salle Centre of Salford City College. In his second year he led a team to the Silver medal in the National Seafood Chef of the Year competition. This was judged by Mitch Tonks, a well respected chef within the industry and the advisory chef for Young's seafood. Mitch was so impressed with Jordan that he offered him the opportunity of a work placement in one of his restaurants. Jordan continues to work for Mitch Tonks and helps to coach and guide Salford City College students who now take up work placements at his restaurants.

Liz Bedwell
South East Learner of the Year, BTEC National Diploma in Media (Games Development)

Liz, a triple Distinction level student has not pursued further education since 2003 instead working as a retail manager for a well known video game store. Liz's progress has been remarkable and she has proved herself a real asset both to the Games Development course and to the college. The level of professionalism shown in her work generated enthusiastic attention from key games industry figures, with the possibility of internships within the industry. Meanwhile Liz is continuing her studies at the University of Wales studying for a BA in Computer Games Design at the Newport School of Art Media and Design.

Louise Dixon
South West Learner of the Year, National Diploma in Travel and Tourism

Louise is just about to complete her two-year course in Travel and Tourism and has achieved the highest possible grade of DDD and 324 points. She could not have improved on this. Louise has recently completed a two-week placement in a local 3* hotel in which she received a glowing reference and a job offer due to her commitment, dedication and attitude. Louise is going to Bournemouth University in September to study Tourism management.

Piya Das
East of England Learner of the Year, National Diploma Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Piya decided to do the ND Electrical and Electronics course at City College Norwich. On this course Piya was the only female, and she had some ground to make up on many of the male students who had several years experience. On completing her National Diploma, Piya successfully applied for a place at Queen Mary University in London on an MEng in Aerospace Engineering. Thanks to her Electrical & Electronic Engineering experience, Piya was one of the highest scoring students. She now has one more year to go before completing, when she will join the RAF as an Engineering Officer.

Mark Taylor
East Midlands Learner of the Year, BTEC National Diploma for IT Practitioners

Mark Taylor started at South Nottingham College on an e2e course, with no formal educational qualifications. He successfully completed that and progressed to the level 1 BTEC Introductory Diploma for IT @ Work, achieving the highest grade possible. He then progressed to the level 2 BTEC First Diploma for IT Practitioners (General), gaining a distinction, then finally moved up to the level 3 BTEC National Diploma for IT Practitioners (Software Development) and achieved an impressive 18 Distinction grades. Mark is now at Nottingham Trent University doing a degree in Digital Media Technology.

Danielle Bate
West Midlands Learner of the Year, BTEC National Diploma in Early Years

Danielle was successful in completing a Level 2 qualification in Early Years and wanted to progress even further so enrolled onto Level 3 which she completed. Unlike most of her friends who chose to study higher education, Danielle opted to continue at College rather than University and she is set to successfully complete the HND next month.

Alexandros Pamnani
London Learner of the Year, BTEC National Diploma Vehicle Technology and BTEC National Diploma Mechanical Engineering

Alexandros started a BTEC National Diploma in Vehicle Technology in September 2007 and worked exceptionally well. Alex started another full BTEC National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in September 2008 and in September 2009, after finishing the BTEC in Vehicle Technology, Alex was elected by students as Student President and Student Governor of the 13,000 Croydon College. After all of the last four years of extreme hard work towards university, Alex has now secured a place at the top UK university of Loughborough to study Engineering.

Kara King
Yorkshire & The Humber Learner of the Year, CACHE Foundation Award in Caring For Children Level 1

Whilst studying, Kara initiated a voluntary placement in a nursery, during her spare time, in order to gain hands on experience of what it is like to work in a childcare environment. Kara decided to approach her placement provider with regards to studying on a Level 2 Apprenticeship programme whilst working for them, which, to Kara's delight they said yes to and asked if she could start the following Monday. Kara completed her final assignment which she passed with distinction, giving her distinctions right across the board.

Ann Duggan on behalf of Bernie James
25 and over - North East Learner of the Year, Advanced Apprenticeship in Hairdressing and NVQ Level 3 in Hairdressing

Bernie completed her original hairdressing training some years ago with John Gerard Salons but wanted to move her career forward through additional academic studies and practical professional development. Bernie has, through her own hard work, studies and endeavour, now achieved part ownership of a local salon named Urban Concept and employs several apprentices who are also trained by the apprenticeship department of Gateshead College. Her next target is to complete the training course that allows her to become a hairdressing assessor.

Debbie Westwell
25 and over - North West Learner of the Year, NVQ Level 3 Beauty Therapy

After successfully completing the Level 2 course, Debbie progressed onto Level 3 Beauty Therapy. Debbie was selected to represent the College at the regional Worldskills UK Competition. She excelled in the Advanced Category, claiming the Gold Medal, with the highest judges' score nationally. Following this, Debbie was successful in gaining a full time position with Steiner, the recruitment agency, for International Cruise Liners. She began her training in the Summer 2009 and joined the beauty team as a massage therapist. Her ambition is to become an International trainer and sales manager.

Julie Bishop
25 and over - South East Learner of the Year, NVQ Level 2 Children’s Care learning and Development

Julie's journey has been more remarkable than most due to the fact that she's registered blind. At preschool, Julie demonstrated how she uses her other senses to support the team and communicate with the children. Julie has demonstrated that she can function to any standard through her determination to provide a loving and caring environment for the children while studying for her NVQ and supporting a home and young family of her own.

Paul Edmonds
25 and over - South West Learner of the Year, OCR, Level 2 Apprenticeship in Multi-Skilled Hospitality

Paul Edmonds has worked at McDonald's for 20 years and has worked in various roles including Restaurant Manager, running a multi-million pound business. Last August, Paul signed up to partake in McDonald's apprenticeship scheme. He has truly stood out from his peers, completing the qualification in six months. Since completing the apprenticeship, Paul has enrolled in a higher national diploma in Business and Marketing at his local college. The experience has also reignited his career ambition - Paul has set his sights on a management job at McDonald's UK Head Office.

Mary Shelley on behalf of Johnathan Emery
25 and over - East of England Learner of the Year, City & Guilds NVQ Level 2 Health & Social Care

Johnathan was nominated by his assessor who was prompted to put his name forward following his successful completion of the NVQ Level 2 Health and social care course in September 2009. Johnathan has utilised the knowledge gained through his NVQ, combined with his own ingenuity and awareness of communications, to develop a system which promotes empowerment of those in his care through the imaginative use of visual cues. Johnathan's innovative approach has enabled the individuals he supports to achieve a greater level of self-sufficiency in everyday living.

Stephen Shepherd
25 and over - East Midlands Learner of the Year, NVQ – ITQ Level 2

Steve had several jobs before suddenly losing his sight through diabetes five years ago. In April 2009 he enrolled onto the NVQ-ITQ Level 2 allowing him to produce a portfolio of his own IT work. Having completed and achieved ITQ, Steve has now enrolled onto another IT course at the centre. Steve feels independent, motivated, confident and recently completed a course called Training the Trainers; he believes that only a year ago he would not have been capable of doing these things. He now wants to enrol on a BTEC course through the British Computer Association of the Blind in Sheffield. Steve wants to train and help other VI learners and to produce his own personal/professional website to promote VI learning and Guide Dogs.

Gary Ramsden
25 and over - West Midlands Learner of the Year, City and Guilds 5610 Furniture Production Level 3

Gary enrolled on a part-time evening class to improve his basic woodworking before starting his course. Gary demonstrated a flair for furniture making, with a particularly outstanding final piece, a hall table. He was awarded the City & Guilds Medal for Excellence for his work at Level 3. Gary developed his own project to produce saleable items e.g. clocks and small boxes using only the limited tools and facilities he had at home. He sold these at craft fairs to part fund his time at college. Upon completion of the course Gary has been involved in a number of commissions but the most notable is his current project to make an oak bench for Tom Hare's garden design at this year Chelsea Flower Show.

Natasha McDonald
25 and over - London Learner of the Year, NVQ 3 Plumbing (Advanced Level 3 Plumbing Apprenticeship)

Natasha attended College one day a week and worked for four days with Homes for Haringey, which seeks to improve the quality of homes and services to residents. She gained this placement after successfully competing against 80 other applicants. She completed a full Apprenticeship and an Advanced Apprenticeship in July 2009. She is an exemplary role model for other women looking to enter construction and gives inspirational talks at job fairs to prospective students.

Colin Pickup
25 and over - Yorkshire & The Humber Learner of the Year, Level 2 Support Service(ILM Level2&3)

Throughout his learning period Colin produced some excellent work and grew in confidence. Little did Colin know that after completing his NVQ he would be applying for a job as an assistant manager within the NHS. Had Colin not completed the NVQ, he is sure he would have not been considered for the job in his department (HSDU). Colin has since gone onto do an infection control course and ILM levels 2&3.