Lighting up Learning at CoLaS 2009

Outstanding employers and individuals from Yorkshire and the Humber, showed just why they were top of the class when the prestigious Celebration of Learning and Skills (CoLaS) Awards lit up learning at the Harrogate International Centre in May.

The CoLaS Awards, hosted by comedian Lenny Henry and the LSC, showcased the top achievements of young people, employers and adults determined to gain the skills to get on at work, in life and for business success. This year’s CoLaS included the regional heat of the Apprenticeship Awards, and three of the region’s winners in these categories have gone on to be named as a finalists for the prestigious National Apprenticeship Awards, taking place next month.

Stepping into the spotlight to collect awards were 16-year-old Shannon Lee Dudley from Barnsley, named Regional Young Apprentice of the Year; 20-year-old Lucianne Hinch from Wakefield, awarded Regional Apprentice of the Year and Dave Thompson from Hull, who was presented with Regional Advanced Apprentice of the Year.

Accolades were also given to three Yorkshire employers in recognition of their Apprenticeship programmes, including Leeds-based Complete Computer Systems for Micro Employer; Sheffield dental practice Michael and Margaret Naylor & Associates for Small Employer and Keighley-based Airedale NHS Trust for Large Employer.

Lucianne Hinch will join Complete Computer Systems and Michael and Margaret Naylor & Associates to find out if they have scooped first prize at the National Apprenticeship Awards in London on 16 July 2009.

Two special awards were presented by LSC Chair Rachel Mann. The Chair's Award for Personal Achievement in Learning was awarded to Martin Best from Harrogate who, as a lecturer at Henshaws College, has spent the past 15 years teaching people with learning difficulties and disabilities to live independent lives.

The final award, the Chair's Award for Employer’s Most Outstanding Contribution to Skills, was presented to Barnsley-based Fosters Bakery, in recognition of its commitment to upskilling its workforce for the benefit of both the company's operations and employees.

CoLaS host, Lenny Henry, said: "I really enjoyed hosting the CoLaS awards and meeting some of the outstanding people that are grasping the opportunity to learn, or are helping others to acquire new skills, because these brilliant achievements deserve celebrating! I salute them all."

More than 1000 guests attended the CoLaS Awards and enjoyed entertainment from Yorkshire and the Humber’s most promising up and coming entertainment. Acts included martial arts group Sheffield Dragons, singer Jessica Armstrong also from Sheffield, acoustic duo Sophie Sunner and Sam Fitzpatrick, SLP College and gospel choir Dansing, both based in Leeds, and soprano singer Rebecca Newman from York.

CoLaS was sponsored by Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Work and Skills Partnership, YoHr Space, the sector skills council Skills for Care and NHS Yorkshire and the Humber.

To see more pictures from CoLaS 2009, click here:

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