Sandwell Employment, Skills and Learning Awards: results!

A prestigious awards ceremony took place in Sandwell on Thursday 24 September, celebrating the borough's highest achievers in employment, skills and learning.

The annual Sandwell Employment, Skills and Learning Awards were presented in the Richardson Suite at the West Bromwich Albion Football Ground by BBC broadcaster Michael Collie.

Special guests included the Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Geoff Lewis, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council's Chief Executive Dr Allison Fraser, and celebrity historian Professor Carl Chinn MBE.

There was entertainment from comedian Sue Hulse and musicians Pete Kelly and Mark 'Busby' Burrows.

Here are the details of the runners-up and winners in each category:

This year’s special 'Inspirational Award' was presented by Carl Chinn [main picture] – and went to Sandwell Council's Joblink team, for 15 years of "dedicated service to Sandwell residents".

Joblink provides employment-focused services to Sandwell people, whether they are unemployed, seeking to return to work after a break, or employed but seeking a change of career.

"Since 1994 well over 10,000 people have found work with the help of this dedicated group of advisers. Not everyone is here today but they all deserve a huge round of applause for all the hard work that goes into getting these kinds of results and providing such a valuable service to Sandwell residents," said Michael Collie.

The 'Training Provider of the Year Award' celebrates training providers who offer an innovative, high-quality, flexible approach to training in the community - and was this year presented by Gary Bowman, director of Sandwell Partnership.

Runners-up were:

* Groundwork, for establishing the 'GAP' programme to bridge the divide between university and employment for graduates hoping to enter the environmental field

* SWEDA, for their 'Skills for Life' project, addressing the literacy, numeracy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), and for giving a range of personalised support to Sandwell residents.

The outstanding achiever in this category was A1 Training [pictured below], which provides high-quality training solutions - including logistics, food hygiene, security and construction - designed to meet the diverse requirements of a wide range of industries. 

"They have exceeded expectations in service delivery and are professional at all times at every level which is evidenced by the number of positive comments from learners after completing the training," said Michael Collie about A1 Training. "They go beyond the call of duty, enabling Sandwell residents to achieve their best for their future careers."

The 'Voluntary Organisation of the Year Award’ is for organisations making the most impact in their community. It recognises their achievements in training, quality and the support given to Sandwell residents. This year, the award was presented by Val Bailey, Principal of Sandwell College.

The outright winner in this category was SWEDA, which, as Michael Collie pointed out, "is well regarded and trusted by clients as truly supporting them to achieve their potential."

He went on to say: "The centre has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere which inspires all to take the steps needed to make a difference to their lives. Sandwell would not be the same without them."

The ‘Employer of the Year Award', presented by John Sutton, Head of Economic Regeneration and Skills at Sandwell Council, was for employers who have provided training opportunities above and beyond company requirements - and for being the most supportive employer in the eyes of their employees.

This year, the Employer of the Year Award went to The Sandwell Decent Homes Partnership, which aims to create sustainable communities and improve the living standards of local people, by reaching out especially to residents who may feel cut off or vulnerable - or who are new to the area.

"Overall the impact of this employer upon the community and its workforce is substantial, both in terms of the investment put in by the key partners and the employment opportunities and local initiatives that come out of it," said Michael Collie.

"The employer is dedicated to improving the living standards of local people and creating sustainable communities. This is achieved through an open and collaborative approach."

The ‘Learning for Employment Award’ recognises individuals who, through learning and training, have progressed into employment or self-employment. This year, the award was presented by Jan Britton, Sandwell Council's Executive Director for Urban Regeneration.

Runners-up were:

* Allison Franks, for pursuing her dream of becoming self-employed as a designer/maker of original glassware and silver jewellery and engaging with SWEDA (Sandwell Women's Enterprise Development Agency) to do so

* skilled construction worker Joshua Robinson, whose career began with an apprenticeship with Thomas Vale Construction via Sandwell Council's Think Local scheme - and who now works on a local development (having been included in a prestigious two-week delegation at the Leonardo Da Vinci Training Centre in Hamburg).

The 'outstanding achiever' in the Learning for Employment category was quantity surveyor Amy Gibbs, who, while employed by a cladding company, decided she wanted to get more involved with construction - and switched both her career path and her employer. Amy is currently half way through a BSc degree, and is also an ambassador for construction at local careers and schools events.

"[Amy] is worthy of this award because not only did she have to make the big decision to switch careers when she was already in employment but she also overcame difficulties encountered as a female quantity surveyor to become a respected member of the team," said Michael Collie.

The ‘Skills for Life Award' recognises individuals who have enriched their lives through improving their skills in literacy, numeracy and, for speakers of languages other than English, in the English language. This year's award was presented by Resham Gill, adviser for the Black Country Learning & Skills Council Partnership.

Runners-up were:

* Carolyn Clarke, who previously had no qualifications in English or Maths, but who worked with Learndirect to improve her personal prospects and who now has Literacy Levels 1 and 2, lots more confidence, and a job as a lunchtime supervisor - plus she is working towards a CLAIT (computer literacy and information technology) qualification 

* Bhikhubai Patel, who worked in the construction industry but became unemployed due to back problems, and was referred to the Jobcentre to do a basic computer course. English was not Bhikhubai's first language and he was quiet and self-conscious to begin with, but with support he was able to overcome his language barrier, working tirelessly to improve his IT, English and numeracy skills. 

The outstanding achiever in the Skills for Life category was Ian Millsom, who has overcome low confidence, unemployment and mental health difficulties to achieve Levels 1 and 2 in Numeracy to begin pursuing a career he enjoys.

"[Ian's] growing confidence has enabled him to undertake a course in Social Care at the local college which he hopes to be able to put into practice in his future career," said Michael Collie. "He has had a difficult start but with dedication has come so far in achieving his learning ambitions."

The award entitled 'Achievement Against the Odds in Learning & Employment’ recognises individuals either in work or training who have overcome difficulties - physical or emotional - to succeed. This award was presented by Councillor Ann Shackleton, cabinet member for Employment, Skills and Partnerships. 

Runners-up were:

* Nathan Whitney, who overcame major trauma when his aunt - to whom he was very close - was tragically killed. Nathan started his career as an apprentice electrician for Forkers and has since passed all of his training, and is dedicated to ongoing learning

* Emma Simms, who was a single parent with two children, low income and no confidence, but who gained new numeracy, literacy and ICT skills through SWEDA - and improved her life prospects through learning and volunteering.

The outstanding achiever in the 'Achievement Against the Odds' category was 21-year-old Richard Johnson, who has autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and is committed to improving the lives of his peers with learning disabilities and ASD by being a passionate advocate of their rights as equal citizens.

"With support [Richard] has learnt to manage the anxiety which results from his ASD and can now socialise in work and present in public, for instance, jointly facilitating training sessions on learning-disability awareness for undergraduates at Wolverhampton University, police officers and school children," said Michael Collie.

"He has spoken to government ministers at the House of Commons on the issue of domestic abuse and its affects on people with learning disabilities. He co-chairs Sandwell's Learning Disability Partnership Board. He inspects residential care homes in partnership with the Care Quality Commission. He co-chaired part of Sandwell Partnership's 2008 AGM; all this when nationally very few people with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder achieve paid employment."

* Gurmit Heer, who has used her volunteering experience with the Yew Tree and Tame Bridge Regeneration Forum to start a youth group - giving young people the chance to realise their aspirations and take part in a diverse range of social activities

* Groundwork Black Country, which has enabled young people to work on a derelict allotment site, revamping it for the good of the local community.

The outstanding achiever in the 'Community Spirit Award' was CRE-8, a scheme that gives young people in deprived areas the opportunity to engage in the performing arts.