The Isle of Wight College’s Business Development Team, recently won this year’s Learning and Skills Improvement Service STAR Award for Engaging with Employers.

The Business Development Team at The Isle of Wight College, category win STAR Award was sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council  who said:

“The college has achieved the new Training Quality Standard – LSC quality mark for measuring responsiveness to employers. This demonstrates the college’s ability to liaise, negotiate and respond to employers’ needs is ‘world-class’. 96% of employers surveyed said training had a positive impact on their business. The college is also a winner of a local authority Equality and Diversity award two years running.”

Fidelma Washington, The Isle of Wight College’s Director of Workforce Development, on behalf of the team said:

“We are delighted to receive this award, and to have national recognition of the good work we are doing for Island employers is just fantastic”.
 

The awards recognise the dedication and expertise of the people who, on a daily basis, make a significant contribution to improving the skill levels of young people and adult learners. The winners were honoured at a ceremony at Old Billingsgate in London, which was attended by over 500 further education staff and learners from across England.

The nominations were assessed by a panel of independent experts, who drew up a short list from the 2,500 nominations and selected the overall winners.  The awards ceremony was hosted by Mike Baker, the BBC broadcaster, and Dr Floella Benjamin OBE. The STAR Awards are regarded as the Oscars of the further education and skills sector.

The 2008 ceremony also marked the inauguration of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), the sector-owned body set up to support those working in the further education and skills sector.

The LSIS STAR Awards recognise those working within the learning and skills system. This includes all those within the college (FE) sector, community learning sector, work-based learning sector and private learning sector.Siôn Simon MP said:

“The LSIS STAR Awards recognise the tremendous contribution made by those who work in the further education and skills sector and, in particular, the unsung heroes who make such a difference to the lives of learners.

This year’s winners and nominees have inspired countless young and adult learners and have helped them to achieve their full potential; I congratulate them all warmly.”

“These awards highlight the vital importance of the further education and skills sector and those who work in it to building a strong UK economy and a cohesive society, helping thousands of young people and adults gain skills, confidence and new qualifications every day.”

The award winners received a cash prize of £500 which they can spend as they wish, a trophy and a certificate.  The team will also receive £1,500 from the STARlight fund which can be used for personal and/or professional development support. This could be put towards a study trip abroad, a new piece of equipment, a training course or any other activity the winners believe will enhance their ability to make a difference in the further education system.