LSC Oscars

North Yorkshire’s star learners make the shortlist for LSC ‘Oscars’

Two outstanding employers from North Yorkshire have beaten tough competition from over 250 nominees across Yorkshire and the Humber to be shortlisted for a prestigious prize at the Learning and Skills Council (LSC)’s Celebration of Learning and Skills Awards 2008.
The first Malton Laser Limited, has been selected by the LSC as one of three finalists shortlisted for an award in the Engineering and Maunfacturing Technologies category, sponsored by Yorkshire Forward. The second, North Yorkshire Moor National Park which has been shortlisted for the Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care Award.

Malton Laser Ltd is a company committed to continued growth with the need to “grow their own apprentices”. Each year they take on more apprentices; working with Derwent Training Association in recruitment and assessment to make sure the right candidates are selected.

The company is keen that its apprentices are exposed to a wide variety of projects and that they gain supervised experience of production and fabrication. One of the most recent innovations that apprentices have worked on is a beer dispenser which was modified by Malton Laser to increase its efficiency. There are two high volume dispensers – one which allows one pump to pour up to six pints at a time, used at Chelsea FC and Royal Ascot and one which allows for up to 12 pints to be pulled from one pump at any time, used at Glastonbury. Work by Malton Laser increased the productivity, efficiency and durability of these products to cope with such high volumes.

Providing widely varied projects alongside sufficient support and encouragement to think practically and have a go has obviously paid off and Malton Laser Ltd is no stranger to award winning, their apprentices have twice held the Apprentice of the Year title: Jason Hogarth in 2003 and Rob Willet in 2005. Malton Laser’s commitment to and investment in training apprentices not only brings awards but real business benefits too including a motivated, highly skilled workforce and low staff turn over.

Mark Harness, Financial Director for the company is thrilled to have been nominated for a new ColaS awards, he said:
“We are so pleased to be shortlisted; this is a true reflection of our commitment to developing our staff as it not only improves out productivity within the business but our structured learning lets other companies and competitors see how successful we can be. “

Mark recognises the importance of continuous development of learning and skills and the company offers additional training packages in specialised areas such as NVQ Level 3 in fabrication and welding and fork lift truck courses. Mark continues:
“The CoLaS Awards are an amazing idea as the ceremony will raise awareness of the importance of acquiring skills and training because in today’s society and market place these things are vital to business and personal success.”

North Yorkshire Moor National Park is dedicated to continuing traditional rural skills such as hedge laying, fencing and dry stone walling in the local style. It is also committed to developing in-house skills to reduce the need to use contractors, provide secure local employment and retain younger people within the area. There is an in-house dedicated assessor and trainer and a continuous professional development programme operating within the organisation. One of the key aims is to develop knowledge and understanding of environmental and conservation issues within the area and encourage a healthier lifestyle for people of all ages.

NYMNP also offers the opportunity for apprentices, 14-16 year old First Diploma and degree students to gain real work experience and was one of the first Park authorities to start an Apprenticeship scheme. To date, they have taken on four apprentices to full time employment and achieved 100% success on the NVQ Environmental Conservation with the majority gaining employment within the land based sector.

The CoLaS are Yorkshire and the Humber’s equivalent to the learning and skills ‘Oscars’ when the outstanding achievements of the region’s top employers and individuals will be celebrated in style. Malton Laser Limited and North Yorkshire Moor National Park will join other hopeful CoLaS nominees and over 1000 guests at a spectacular ceremony on 16 April 2008, at The Harrogate International Centre, when celebrity compere Fearne Cotton will announce the winners. The evening will also see performances from some of the region’s best up and coming entertainment which is set to make the first CoLaS ceremony a magical evening.

Margaret Coleman, Regional Director for the LSC in Yorkshire and the Humber said:

“Since the deadline for nominations in January, our judging panel has faced an extremely tough challenge to choose 30 finalists from over 250 top quality nominations.. All nominees have made outstanding achievements, many against the odds. The CoLaS 2008 shortlist represents the very best of learning and skills development in the region and CoLaS 2008 will highlight and celebrate the success of some exceptional individuals and employers.

Mrs Coleman continues,
“As the event draws closer, it is really exciting to know that there are winners from a huge range of sectors and experiences. Each success story is a fantastic reason to be proud of learning and skills in our region.”

The nominees are:

• Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care
Sarah Cobb, 20, Bishop Burton College, from Driffield
Jonathan Lawton, 17, Morthyng Training Ltd, from Rotherham
North Yorkshire Moor National Park, Helmsley

• Arts, Media and Publishing
Anna Mason, 22, University of Sheffield, from Waltham, NE Lincs
Sohale Yasin17, Castle College (Sheffield), from Sheffield
Jonathon Webb, 23, East Riding College, from Beverley

• Business, Administration and Law
Nuno Da Silva, 18, The Source at Meadowhall, from Gleadless
Ingrid Munyaneza, 18, Belle Vue Girls’ School, from Bradford
Vanessa Coleman, 58, The OWEN Project, from Beverley

• Construction, Planning and the Built Environment
KIER Sheffield LLP, Sheffield
Darren Lycett, 42, Birkwood Plant Training, from Pontefract
Christopher Martin, 19, Wakefield MDC and Leeds College of Building, from Emley, Huddersfield

• Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies
Sam Bailey, 15, Doncaster Motor Trades Ltd, from Rockingham, Rotherham
Ashley Addy, 22, Huddersfield Textile Training Ltd, from Sowerby Bridge
Malton Laser Ltd, Malton, North Yorkshire

• Hair and Beauty Services
Cutting Room Creative, Chapel Allerton, Leeds
Angela Langton, Belezza Academy, Bridlington
Samantha Hind, 18, Intuitions Ltd, from Harrogate

• Health, Public Services and Care
Ross Jowett, 50, Gipton Access Point, from Gipton, Leeds
Stewart Sleight, 42, Grimsby Insititue of Further and Higher Education, from Grimsby
Yasmin Hawcroft, 20, Craven College, from Keighley

• Information and Communication Technology
Amanda- Jayne Smith, 43, Joseph Priestly College, from Morley, Leeds
Lee Coothoopermal, 19, Joseph Priestly College, from Hunslet, Leeds
Sean Dane, 22, Dearne Valley College, from Rotherham

• Leisure, Travel and Tourism
Mark Tingle, 17, Barnsley College, from Redbrook, Barnsley
Sarah Ramsden, 21 (whilst on course), Park Lane College, Leeds
Rebecca Waltham, 18, John Leggott College, from Scunthorpe

• Retail and Commercial Enterprise
Innovations, Café and Gift Shop, Hebden Bridge, Halifax
Matthew Lister, 18, North East Chamber of Commerce, from Harrogate
Sharon Wright, 20, Stephen Joseph Theatre, from Scarborough

• Outstanding Achiever
This will be a winner of winners announced on the 16th April 2008.

Further details and photographs can be found online at www.lsc.gov.uk/colasyh08
-ENDS-

Photos: Show stopping - Fearne Cotton

For further press information, interviews or photographs please contact
Rachel Harrison, PR Account Manager on 0191 2407000 or 07711851977
or Rachel@fawthropmclanders.com

Or LSC contact:
Joanna Barker, Regional Press Officer, LSC Yorkshire and the Humber
joanna.barker@lsc.gov.uk 01274 444203 or 07771 960 631

Notes to editors:

CoLaS 2008 in Yorkshire and the Humber will be the first awards ceremony of this size and scale in the region - an awards ceremony like no other.

The awards aim to recognise and reward investment and success in skills development throughout the region from employers of all sizes across all industry sectors as well as individuals over the age of 14.

Nominations are now closed. The deadline for nominations was 18 January 2008.

Compere Fearne Cotton is known for hosting a number of popular television programmes such as Top of the Pops and Diggit, she also presents the BBC’s Radio 1 Chart Show and is involved in charity events such as Children in Need, Comic Relief Does Fame Academy, Live 8 in Hyde Park and the Concert for Diana.

About the LSC

The LSC exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. We are responsible for ensuring the availability of high-quality education and training for everyone. We have a single goal: to improve the skills of England’s young people and adults to world class standards. Our vision is that young people and adults in England have knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and are part of a truly competitive workforce. We work nationally, regionally and locally to deliver this ambition on behalf of learners and employers.