Yorkshire and the Humber's top learners scoop regional 'Oscars' awards

CoLaS host Fearne Cotton

The region's most outstanding learners were treated to a touch of Hollywood glamour recently when they attended the Celebration of Learning and Skills Awards 2008 (CoLaS).

Staged by the LSC in Yorkshire and the Humber, the awards took place at The Harrogate International Centre and were the region's biggest-ever showcase of talent and achievement. CoLaS gave the region a chance to celebrate the determination and commitment of employers and individuals developing skills in Yorkshire and the Humber.

TV presenter and Radio 1 DJ, Fearne Cotton, hosted the evening of entertainment and recognition and she was joined by over 1000 guests including the region's business leaders, key employers, representatives from education and the family and friends of the nominees.

Margaret Coleman, regional director for the LSC in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "We had more than 250 nominations for these awards from some really outstanding people who have wonderful stories to tell about how they've overcome barriers and personal difficulties. These people are role models for learning and skills in our region and are a credit to the colleges and learning providers that have supported and encouraged them to flourish. We should all be extremely proud of their achievements and of the example they set to the rest of the country."

Fearne Cotton, who earlier in the year rubbed shoulders with the stars on the red carpet of the Oscars in LA, said: "The Celebration of Learning and Skills Awards are a great way to recognise the importance of learning and skills in all of our lives. I've thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the CoLaS 2008 and especially witnessing the inspirational success stories of individuals' and employers' learning and skills achievements - many in the face of adversity."

The 2008 CoLaS winners included Sheffield Forgemasters International (SFIL), a 200-year-old company and the largest open die forging company in the UK. It is currently training 61 apprentices for specialist careers and roles in all departments at the 64-acre Brightside Lane site in Sheffield. The company faced closure three years ago, but following a successful management buy out, an intake of apprentices and the company's dedication to skills and training, Sheffield Forgemasters has turned around its fortunes.

Graham Honeyman, chief executive at SFIL, said: "We offer our apprentices a great opportunity to pursue rewarding careers with a forward thinking company that they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to embrace.

CoLaS awards winners

"We visit schools and host visits from schools all over the country to explain what we do here and to raise the profile of engineering as an important career choice. Consequently, we have masses of interest and the calibre of students coming to serve Apprenticeships at Forgemasters is rising every year".

"There are highly skilled and motivated young people out there who need to be given an opportunity to shine. Forgemasters has a solid commitment to providing the best possible future for these youngsters, and to training our future workforce."

Guests also enjoyed entertainment from some of the finest talent across Yorkshire and the Humber as the winners of ‘The Audition', a regional talent contest held by the LSC, performed throughout the evening.

CoLaS event sponsors included Yorkshire Forward, Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority, Digital 2010, Yorkshire and Humberside Assessment Limited, Community Training Services, R and B Group, Oracle Training Consultants and the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Skills Partnership.

Margaret Coleman added: "CoLaS 2008 is a regional first, a celebration at an unprecedented level. The awards reflect the true diversity of achievements in learning and skills across the region and it is testament to this that key players in the regional skills and business arena have chosen to support us. I'd like to thank our sponsors for their involvement and say how delighted I am that we can work together to reward individuals and employers who have succeeded in learning and skills."

To view a full list of the winners click here.

Click the link above to watch a podcast from the event.