Winner: Elaine Corner
Elaine, 43, was a Staff Sergeant in the Army when she first came to learndirect to do a customer service NVQ. Tragically, two months after enrolling she was involved in a serious motorbike accident and had to have her leg amputated below the knee. Despite a long stay in hospital and months of rehabilitation and physiotherapy, she was determined to continue with her learning. After completing the NVQ, she went on to do an ITQ to improve her computer skills and prepare for a new career pending medical discharge from the Army. Getting these qualifications gave Elaine the confidence she needed to begin job hunting and she was successful in getting an office job with a hot air balloon ride company.
On winning the award, Elaine said: "I like to complete things once I start them so I was determined to finish the course despite my injuries. I certainly couldn’t have completed the courses without the help of all the staff at Tidworth Learning Centre. I’m now really enjoying my new job thanks to the skills I learnt on the courses. It’s nice to receive an award which recognises what I’ve achieved since my accident."
Highly Commended: Beth Amber from Warrington and Rebecca Hamer from Kent
Winner: Samantha Britnell
After leaving school five years ago, Samantha Britnell, 24, has suffered from some health difficulties and lives at home with her father as her full time carer. After doing a qualification himself with learndirect he encouraged Samantha to do the same and is proud to see her doing so well. With great determination she’s progressed through her maths qualifications and also completed an employability course. Her confidence has soared and despite battling depression she’s decided she’s ready to find work and wants to go back to college to get a hairdressing qualification.
On winning the award, Samantha said: "I was really excited and chuffed to receive this award. I feel very proud of myself and my achievements. I am looking forward to continuing my learning and achieving my goals."
Wendy Brooke from Westward Pathfinder, who nominated Samantha for the award said: "Watching Sam grow with confidence in her own abilities has been extremely rewarding. Her endless enthusiasm as she discovers new things shows us all the benefits learning can have not only for the individual but for the people around them."
Highly Commended: Amina Sharif from Wolverhampton
Winner: Trevor Scannel from Neath, Wales
At the age of just 29, Trevor became a single parent to four children when his fiancée lost her battle from breast cancer. Trevor had to leave his job as a coach driver to care for Lesley during her terminal illness and when she lost her battle, Trevor was left in turmoil, having to care after his four children with no job and no qualifications. Just a year later, Trevor was able to start rebuilding his life and start to concentrate on providing a better future for his children by retraining through Genesis and Neath Port Talbot College.
Trevor said: 'I didn’t do great in school and left with no qualifications to my name. Now I needed to change career, I found I had to have qualifications to back up my skills. My children are now aged 15, 5, 3 and 2 and I really want to ensure I’m a good role model for them. My main motivation now is to get a good job so that I can provide for them and make our lives easier’.
Donna Roberts, who is a Neath Port Talbot Council Genesis Advisor nominated Trevor for the learndirect award and explains: 'Trevor is a very determined person and dedicated to providing the best for his family. Trevor carried out all his learning online via learndirect so that he could work flexibly in the evenings once the children had gone to bed. His determination to succeed is an inspiration to us all!’
Highly Commended: Jerry Collings from Gainsborough
Winner: PCS (Public Commercial Services) Solway Branch
The Solway Branch of PCS (Public Commercial Services) employs 500 staff and after identifying a need for structured learning they began offering learndirect qualifications in maths, English and IT as well as NVQs in Advice and Guidance, Team Leading, Management and Customer Service. It’s had a great impact on staff, with team leaders saying they feel the NVQ has helped them develop new management skills and made them more aware of communication, body language and the impact communication has within the team. Some of the team leaders have been promoted to managers which was part of the wider business goal when setting up the training. As a business, there has been a reduction in call times through better training and monitoring from team leaders and managers. The organisation works with Communicator Training Associates who provide flexibility by travelling to deliver the learning on site in the workplace and this has made the overall learning more accessible.
On winning the award, Angela Harrison from PCS Solway said: "I was delighted to learn we had won. It really means a lot to us, we have worked with Communicators for more than two years and they have been fantastic in meeting the needs of a busy contact centre. The learndirect courses have proven ideal for staff working shifts and with family commitments."
Winner: Nick Dunsdon
Nick Dunsdon, 19, is a business administration apprentice at Anderson Cole Recruitment in London. The company works with Training Associates learndirect centre to provide apprenticeships to its staff. In his first three months Nick has won a number of new clients, became the youngest biller ever at the company and the youngest employer to recruit a member of staff for a new client.
Joseph Miller from Anderson Cole Recruitment, who nominated Nick for the award said: "Nick is a very talented individual and someone that I am sure has an excellent future ahead of him in business."
On winning the award, Nick said: 'It feels a privilege to win the star apprentice award and I am very proud of myself. I have gained valuable experience during my time at Anderson Cole Recruitment. I have now been offered a permanent job through the apprenticeship scheme so this award just tops off a fantastic eight months'.
Highly Commended: Joanne Bennett from Portsmouth
Winner: Tammy Nieuwoudt
Tammy Nieuwoudt, 24, from Tidworth had no qualifications and was working as a housekeeper and general assistant in a hotel when she came to learndirect to improve her skills and future job prospects. After completing the ITQ she was able to update her CV and as a result got a new job as a customer service consultant for an insurance broker. Not only did she succeed in getting a better job, but thanks to continued learning she progressed further and moved into a higher position within the claims department of another company.
Tammy said: "I feel very proud of myself! By improving my career prospects through completing the course I really felt a great sense of achievement, but now this award really just adds the cherry on top of the cake! I have gained a lot from my experience with learndirect and am thankful to the ladies at the centre who were very supportive all the way."
Highly Commended: Anthony Ficetola from Topcliffe RALC
Winner: Diane Black
Diane Black from Whittlesey came to learndirect at Cambridgeshire Libraries to get computer skills which would help her search for a job. She'd been unemployed for a while. She had a great dedication to learning, despite health problems which meant she had to overcome physical pain to ensure she completed her goals. She gained valuable skills in searching for a job through employability courses. As a direct result she managed to get a job with the RSPCA furniture retail section. She's still continuing with her learning and believes this has given her the skills and confidence to achieve her goals.
Sue Cade from Cambridgeshire Libraries who nominated Diane said: "She is a true inspiration and is so happy with the learndirect learning she's done and so happy she has found employment."
On winning the award, Diane said: "I feel really proud of myself. I didn't know much about computers before I came here. I'd encourage anyone else to give it a go."
Highly Commended: Dino Lommano from Deeside College in Wales, Rebecca Hodgson from Business Support and Development in Richmond and Elizabeth Rooke from Pathfinder in Chulmleigh.
Thanks for your help,
The learndirect team