Finalists

Finalists

Congratulations to the following Winners and Highly Commended at the LSC South East Learning & Skills Awards 2007: Micro Employer: 1 to 9 employees Nutley Motor Services - Winner Nutley Motor Services Limited is a small motor vehicle service and repair company based in Nutley, East Sussex. It has a clear commitment to training, which is highlighted by the fact that even its Director is currently studying for an NVQ within the Apprenticeship framework. Nutley Motor Services encourages all learners to build on their qualifications to NVQ Level 2. Small Employer: 10 to 49 employees Phoebes - Winner Phoebes is a family run business in the landscaping and pet centre sector. It has a long-standing relationship, of 20 years, with Kent-based Hadlow College. Phoebes has a clear commitment to on-the-job training through its Apprenticeship programme, as many of its team leaders went through formal training themselves. The Hair Gallery - Highly Commended The Hair Gallery gives each apprentice the chance to increase their confidence by allowing each one to run one of their three salons for at least 10 days per year. This business truly believes that through Apprenticeships individuals can develop the specialist skills required to carry out the job.The age of their apprentices ranges from 16 to 49, and they place a great emphasis on staff having the opportunity to develop their learning. Medium Employer: 50 to 249 employees First Steps Childcare - Winner First Steps Childcare is a nursery located in Chichester College, West Sussex. The company currently has 20 Apprentices on NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications. The nursery provides professional day care facilities for 142 children aged 0-5 years. Altonwood Golf Group - Highly Commended Alton Wood Gold Group owns five golf courses in the Surrey area. Currently there are five young employees on an Apprenticeship programme, where they are given specialist training in Greenkeeping. They place an emphasis on training all their apprentices regardless of age and believe there should be equal opportunities in accessing training. They believe that this enhances an apprentice’s development and career aspirations and makes them feel part of a team. In addition, it also gives them total job satisfaction. Over the coming years the company intends to increase its number of apprentices through a further intake. Large Employer: over 250 employees AWE Plc - Winner AWE plc, located in Berkshire, launched its Apprenticeship scheme fifty-five years ago and today forms a major route for young engineers in this specific sector. AWE has also continued to forge strong links with local colleges and other engineering employers. Its apprentices also contribute to the community through their work with local schools. Skandia - Highly Commended Skandia, a Southampton based financial services company, initiated its Apprenticeship programme in 2001. They offer both Foundation and Advanced Levels qualifications as well as NVQ’s at Level 3 and 4 across many areas of the business. Skandia is committed to investing in its people and business by supporting its employees’ through continual assessment. They also offer on and off the job training as well as mentoring. This has proved to be successful as there have been clear improvements in their employees’ achievement and retention rates. Young Apprentice of the Year Alice Le Good - Winner Sixteen -year-old Alice, from Southampton, is presently carrying out her Young Apprenticeship in engineering with a view to working in the marine industry. Alice’s work placement is at Hamble Yacht Services where she has had the chance to work with riggers, as well as learning about other boat building techniques. Alice has successfully managed to combine her on-the-job Apprenticeship training with her academic studies and now hopes to go on to obtain further qualifications. Gary Smith - Highly Commended Gary is currently carrying out a young apprenticeship in the motor industry and is training to become a car mechanic. He has conducted two work placements at Sparshats Subaru and Inchape Renault, where his main duties have included carrying out oil and petrol filter changes on customer cars. Despite a recent family tragedy, Gary has persisted with his apprenticeship programme, earning a great deal of praise from his training provider. He feels that the training he has received has enabled him to decide that he would like to pursue a career within the industry. Apprentice of the Year Victoria Nebbett - Winner Victoria, a 22-year-old hairdresser, from Surrey, has been promoted twice since completing her Apprenticeship at Monroe Hairdressing. She is now a Senior Stylist at the salon where she carries out duties such as preparing models for photo shoots. Victoria now teaches hairdressing to the new crop of apprentices and also acts as a mentor. She has given seminars across the country encouraging other young hairdressers to make the most of their talents and she believes her Apprenticeship has given her the confidence to continue in a career that she has a strong passion for. Stephen Purchell - Highly commended 18-year-old Steven is carrying out a Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship at A.W.E Plc, where his role involves reconstruction, maintenance and the manufacture of electrical components. Stephen believes that through his dedication to his Apprenticeship, his hard work, enthusiasm and commitment, he has gained a great deal of knowledge and loyalty to his company’s Apprenticeship scheme. This has involved being used as a role model apprentice both internally and to external organisations. On top of this, he has helped mentor students from local schools during their work experience Advanced Apprentice of the Year Will Harlow - Winner Nineteen-year-old Will, from Gosport in Hampshire, is undertaking an Advanced Apprenticeship in electrical engineering with his employer, DSDA Gosport. Will clearly realises that building on his qualifications is the key to developing his career, and has successfully undertaken an NVQ Level 3 and is currently studying for a Higher National Certificate (HNC). Will’s aptitude has already been recognised by his employer and he has been given the company’s own Apprentice of the Year award twice. Louise James - Highly Commended 18 year old Louise is currently carrying out her Advanced Apprenticeship in hairdressing at the Graham Webb International salon in Tunbridge Wells. Due to her dedication and skills, Louise has been appointed Head Junior at the salon where she is entrusted to support other apprentices carry out a number of roles including salon maintenance and client care. She was a finalist in the 2006 International Junior Hairdresser of the Year and is also a past winner of her employer’s Junior of the Year Award. In addition, due her to knowledge and expertise, Louise was chosen to assist with interviewing the current apprenticeship intake at her salon. Personal Achiever of the Year Tania Kosma - Winner Kent-based Tania has successfully completed an NVQ Level 2 in retail. She currently works at Clinton Cards where she performs a number of roles. Tania has successfully managed to carry out her responsible role despite suffering from Erlen Syndrome, which requires her to use a red overlay on any written black and white text, to enable her to read clearly. Sam Jones - Highly Commended Sam is currently carrying out an Apprenticeship in Electrical Installation at the nationwide construction company, Barratt. He has successfully completed an NVQ Level 2 qualification and despite being diagnosed with dyslexia, he has managed to undertake two years worth of exams and class work at Southampton City College in just one year. Sam feels that being on an Apprenticeship programme has given him the opportunity to receive the training and qualifications that will enable him to further develop his skills in a career that he clearly loves. Train to Gain Outstanding Learner John Hutchinson - Winner John, from Sandown on the Isle of Wight, has demonstrated his commitment to the Train to Gain programme. As a mature male care worker, working in a female dominated sector, John has provided a high quality of assistance to clients who require care to enable them to continue living independently. John has successfully completed a number of qualifications related to his career, and is currently undertaking a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2 in health and social careand has vowed to complete an NVQ Level 3 Caron Hull - Highly Commended Caron has worked as a Domestic Assistant at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester for the past six years, where she is presently taking an NVQ Level 2 in Cleaning. In her position she carries out a variety of responsibilities, which include maintaining the equipment used by her colleagues and liaising with senior nursing staff on health and safety issues. Caron feels that she would not have been able to cope with carrying out her new tasks without her NVQ qualification which has provided her with the knowledge and skills required to ensure that her team meet the standards required by the hospital. Skills for Life Plus Learner Award Jiminae O'Halloran - Winner Jiminae, from Southampton, started the Skills for Life programme at Entry Level 1 despite suffering with severe dyslexia. Not only has she achieved a Level 1 qualification in literacy and numeracy; but she is now working towards achieving a Level 2 in these subjects. Jiminae has many talents and has also completed Levels 1 and 2 in nail treatment and nail technology. These qualifications enabled her to be her own boss for a while, when she ran a mobile nail business. She values the experience that learning has provided her and now feels confident to fill in forms and help her son with his homework. Jeanette Beckwith - Highly Commended Jeanette has moved from student to volunteer to trainee tutor at Sussex Downs College. After being out of education for a while and doubting her ability to be able to learn, she signed up for a Skills for Life course in 2002, where she successfully completed courses in Literacy, Numeracy and Computing. In 2005, she volunteered to teach three Skills for Life classes at Sussex Downs College and went on to achieve the necessary qualifications to enable her to become a trainee tutor at the college. If this is not enough, Jeanette is currently undertaking a City and Guilds Certificate in Further Education and in September she will be doing a Certificate in Education at Brighton University. She credits her Skills for Life qualification for giving her the opportunity to embark on a teaching career. Offender's Learning and Achievement Award Jade Fisher - Winner Following a tough upbringing, 18-year-old Jade from Southampton was sentenced to a Youth Offending Institution in April 2006 for drink and drug related offences. Jade entered custody with no formal qualifications as, due to family problems, she had to leave school at the age of 14. During her time in custody, Jade decided to follow a computer course as she had a real interest in this area and realised that most jobs require computer skills. Following her release from custody she went straight into an Entry to Employment programme and is now actively seeking to undertake an Apprenticeship programme. She truly believes that education and training has given her a second chance at life and now looks forward to a bright future. Clint Sproul - Highly Commended Clint is now on a Level 2 Counselling Skills course and hopes to go on to achieve higher qualifications in this area. Clint is keen to pass on to offenders his experience and knowledge, and his long term goal is to own and run a resettlement unit for people coming out of addiction who have not had the opportunity to develop their educational skills. He believes that education has given him the self belief to feel he can achieve anything.

Congratulations to the following Winners and Highly Commended at the LSC South East Learning & Skills Awards 2007:

Micro Employer: 1 to 9 employees

Nutley Motor Services - Winner

Nutley Motor Services Limited is a small motor vehicle service and repair company based in Nutley, East Sussex. It has a clear commitment to training, which is highlighted by the fact that even its Director is currently studying for an NVQ within the Apprenticeship framework.

Nutley Motor Services encourages all learners to build on their qualifications to NVQ Level 2.

Small Employer: 10 to 49 employees

Phoebes - Winner

Phoebes is a family run business in the landscaping and pet centre sector. It has a long-standing relationship, of 20 years, with Kent-based Hadlow College.

Phoebes has a clear commitment to on-the-job training through its Apprenticeship programme, as many of its team leaders went through formal training themselves.

The Hair Gallery - Highly Commended

The Hair Gallery gives each apprentice the chance to increase their confidence by allowing each one to run one of their three salons for at least 10 days per year. This business truly believes that through Apprenticeships individuals can develop the specialist skills required to carry out the job.The age of their apprentices ranges from 16 to 49, and they place a great emphasis on staff having the opportunity to develop their learning.

Medium Employer: 50 to 249 employees

First Steps Childcare - Winner

First Steps Childcare is a nursery located in Chichester College, West Sussex. The company currently has 20 Apprentices on NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications.

The nursery provides professional day care facilities for 142 children aged 0-5 years.

Altonwood Golf Group - Highly Commended

Alton Wood Gold Group owns five golf courses in the Surrey area. Currently there are five young employees on an Apprenticeship programme, where they are given specialist training in Greenkeeping. They place an emphasis on training all their apprentices regardless of age and believe there should be equal opportunities in accessing training. They believe that this enhances an apprentice’s development and career aspirations and makes them feel part of a team. In addition, it also gives them total job satisfaction. Over the coming years the company intends to increase its number of apprentices through a further intake.

Large Employer: over 250 employees

AWE Plc - Winner

AWE plc, located in Berkshire, launched its Apprenticeship scheme fifty-five years ago and today forms a major route for young engineers in this specific sector.

AWE has also continued to forge strong links with local colleges and other engineering employers. Its apprentices also contribute to the community through their work with local schools.

Skandia - Highly Commended

Skandia, a Southampton based financial services company, initiated its Apprenticeship programme in 2001. They offer both Foundation and Advanced Levels qualifications as well as NVQ’s at Level 3 and 4 across many areas of the business. Skandia is committed to investing in its people and business by supporting its employees’ through continual assessment. They also offer on and off the job training as well as mentoring. This has proved to be successful as there have been clear improvements in their employees’ achievement and retention rates.

Young Apprentice of the Year

Alice Le Good - Winner
Sixteen -year-old Alice, from Southampton, is presently carrying out her Young Apprenticeship in engineering with a view to working in the marine industry.

Alice’s work placement is at Hamble Yacht Services where she has had the chance to work with riggers, as well as learning about other boat building techniques. Alice has successfully managed to combine her on-the-job Apprenticeship training with her academic studies and now hopes to go on to obtain further qualifications.

Gary Smith - Highly Commended

Gary is currently carrying out a young apprenticeship in the motor industry and is training to become a car mechanic. He has conducted two work placements at Sparshats Subaru and Inchape Renault, where his main duties have included carrying out oil and petrol filter changes on customer cars. Despite a recent family tragedy, Gary has persisted with his apprenticeship programme, earning a great deal of praise from his training provider. He feels that the training he has received has enabled him to decide that he would like to pursue a career within the industry.

Apprentice of the Year

Victoria Nebbett - Winner

Victoria, a 22-year-old hairdresser, from Surrey, has been promoted twice since completing her Apprenticeship at Monroe Hairdressing. She is now a Senior Stylist at the salon where she carries out duties such as preparing models for photo shoots.

Victoria now teaches hairdressing to the new crop of apprentices and also acts as a mentor. She has given seminars across the country encouraging other young hairdressers to make the most of their talents and she believes her Apprenticeship has given her the confidence to continue in a career that she has a strong passion for.

Stephen Purchell - Highly commended

18-year-old Steven is carrying out a Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship at A.W.E Plc, where his role involves reconstruction, maintenance and the manufacture of electrical components. Stephen believes that through his dedication to his Apprenticeship, his hard work, enthusiasm and commitment, he has gained a great deal of knowledge and loyalty to his company’s Apprenticeship scheme. This has involved being used as a role model apprentice both internally and to external organisations. On top of this, he has helped mentor students from local schools during their work experience

Advanced Apprentice of the Year

Will Harlow - Winner

Nineteen-year-old Will, from Gosport in Hampshire, is undertaking an Advanced Apprenticeship in electrical engineering with his employer, DSDA Gosport.

Will clearly realises that building on his qualifications is the key to developing his career, and has successfully undertaken an NVQ Level 3 and is currently studying for a Higher National Certificate (HNC). Will’s aptitude has already been recognised by his employer and he has been given the company’s own Apprentice of the Year award twice.

Louise James - Highly Commended

18 year old Louise is currently carrying out her Advanced Apprenticeship in hairdressing at the Graham Webb International salon in Tunbridge Wells. Due to her dedication and skills, Louise has been appointed Head Junior at the salon where she is entrusted to support other apprentices carry out a number of roles including salon maintenance and client care. She was a finalist in the 2006 International Junior Hairdresser of the Year and is also a past winner of her employer’s Junior of the Year Award. In addition, due her to knowledge and expertise, Louise was chosen to assist with interviewing the current apprenticeship intake at her salon.

Personal Achiever of the Year

Tania Kosma - Winner

Kent-based Tania has successfully completed an NVQ Level 2 in retail. She currently works at Clinton Cards where she performs a number of roles.

Tania has successfully managed to carry out her responsible role despite suffering from Erlen Syndrome, which requires her to use a red overlay on any written black and white text, to enable her to read clearly.

Sam Jones - Highly Commended

Sam is currently carrying out an Apprenticeship in Electrical Installation at the nationwide construction company, Barratt. He has successfully completed an NVQ Level 2 qualification and despite being diagnosed with dyslexia, he has managed to undertake two years worth of exams and class work at Southampton City College in just one year. Sam feels that being on an Apprenticeship programme has given him the opportunity to receive the training and qualifications that will enable him to further develop his skills in a career that he clearly loves.

Train to Gain Outstanding Learner

John Hutchinson - Winner

John, from Sandown on the Isle of Wight, has demonstrated his commitment to the Train to Gain programme. As a mature male care worker, working in a female dominated sector, John has provided a high quality of assistance to clients who require care to enable them to continue living independently. John has successfully completed a number of qualifications related to his career, and is currently undertaking a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2 in health and social careand has vowed to complete an NVQ Level 3

Caron Hull - Highly Commended

Caron has worked as a Domestic Assistant at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester for the past six years, where she is presently taking an NVQ Level 2 in Cleaning. In her position she carries out a variety of responsibilities, which include maintaining the equipment used by her colleagues and liaising with senior nursing staff on health and safety issues. Caron feels that she would not have been able to cope with carrying out her new tasks without her NVQ qualification which has provided her with the knowledge and skills required to ensure that her team meet the standards required by the hospital.

Skills for Life Plus Learner Award

Jiminae O'Halloran - Winner

Jiminae, from Southampton, started the Skills for Life programme at Entry Level 1 despite suffering with severe dyslexia. Not only has she achieved a Level 1 qualification in literacy and numeracy; but she is now working towards achieving a Level 2 in these subjects. Jiminae has many talents and has also completed Levels 1 and 2 in nail treatment and nail technology. These qualifications enabled her to be her own boss for a while, when she ran a mobile nail business. She values the experience that learning has provided her and now feels confident to fill in forms and help her son with his homework.

Jeanette Beckwith - Highly Commended

Jeanette has moved from student to volunteer to trainee tutor at Sussex Downs College. After being out of education for a while and doubting her ability to be able to learn, she signed up for a Skills for Life course in 2002, where she successfully completed courses in Literacy, Numeracy and Computing. In 2005, she volunteered to teach three Skills for Life classes at Sussex Downs College and went on to achieve the necessary qualifications to enable her to become a trainee tutor at the college. If this is not enough, Jeanette is currently undertaking a City and Guilds Certificate in Further Education and in September she will be doing a Certificate in Education at Brighton University. She credits her Skills for Life qualification for giving her the opportunity to embark on a teaching career.

Offender's Learning and Achievement Award

Jade Fisher - Winner

Following a tough upbringing, 18-year-old Jade from Southampton was sentenced to a Youth Offending Institution in April 2006 for drink and drug related offences.

Jade entered custody with no formal qualifications as, due to family problems, she had to leave school at the age of 14. During her time in custody, Jade decided to follow a computer course as she had a real interest in this area and realised that most jobs require computer skills.

Following her release from custody she went straight into an Entry to Employment programme and is now actively seeking to undertake an Apprenticeship programme. She truly believes that education and training has given her a second chance at life and now looks forward to a bright future.

Clint Sproul - Highly Commended

Clint is now on a Level 2 Counselling Skills course and hopes to go on to achieve higher qualifications in this area. Clint is keen to pass on to offenders his experience and knowledge, and his long term goal is to own and run a resettlement unit for people coming out of addiction who have not had the opportunity to develop their educational skills. He believes that education has given him the self belief to feel he can achieve anything.