BHCC - Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce

Nominations are now open for South East Learning and Skills Awards 2010 

This year’s awards include a new category specifically to acknowledge the contributions made by learning providers driving prosperity and workforce development in the region.

These awards celebrate excellence in vocational education across the South East and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations, whose commitment to learning and skills can serve as an example and inspiration to everyone.

Covering a wide range of learning and training opportunities, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) South East hopes to highlight the importance of continuing these exceptional initiatives and the role they have in building stronger regional communities in your region.  

In explaining the significance of the awards, regional director for the LSC South East, Marinos Paphitis, said: “The individuals and organisations we are looking to acknowledge make an enormous contribution to the regional economy and the well being of their local communities. They make the South East a better place for all of us to live and work – and that’s something worth celebrating.”

Last year packaging company Huhtamaki GB Ltd, received the Train to Gain Employer of the Year Award. Speaking on behalf of the company John Steel, Production Manager said: “In the two years we’ve been working with Fareham College and accessing Train to Gain funding we’ve put around 100 members of staff through National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) and seen a turnaround in the fortunes of the business. This (award) recognises the commitment of the staff who’ve contributed to making Huhtamaki GB the success story it’s become.”

Categories for the 2010 awards continue to recognise the achievements of individuals at every stage of life and career, and the contributions of organisations, both big and small, across every sector. These include:

·                     Achieving Against the Odds Learner of Year

·                     Keeping the South East Working - Provider of the Year

·                     Train to Gain Outstanding Employer of the Year

·                     Train to Gain Learner of the Year

·                     Young Apprentice of the Year

·                     Apprentice of the Year

·                     Advanced Apprentice of the Year

·                     Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (open to businesses and organisations across five categories – micro, small, medium, large and macro) 

All entrants in the Apprenticeship categories will be automatically entered into the National Apprenticeship Awards.

Nominations are open to individuals, training providers and employers across the South East. Nomination forms and guidance notes can be downloaded from: www.learningandskillsawards.org.uk

Entries close for the South East Learning and Skills Awards and the National Apprenticeship Awards on Friday 26th February, 2010.