A glittering event celebrating many success stories and achievements of individuals in Mansfield and Ashfield featured students and staff from West Nottinghamshire College.
The annual Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 Business Awards, held at The John Fretwell Sporting Complex, Sookholme, backed by Mansfield Building Society and many other local businesses, took place on the evening of 30 September.
The college was a finalist in the ‘contribution to the community’ category, which was a submission led by head of academic, creative, community, digital and professional studies, Trudi Dean.
Trudi put forward the submission in recognition of the combined efforts of students and staff to produce vital PPE for front-line healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Resolve IT learning company’s contribution to the #WeMakeICTPossible digital poverty campaign. Unfortunately, the college was pipped at the post by Mansfield Building Society.
'Young Apprentice of The Year'-winning titles went to Georgia Thompson and Michael Nock, who both study their qualifications through the college.
Georgia, 23, a Level 3 Transport Planning apprentice at Transport for Greater Manchester, was named category winner for being an excellent ambassador for other apprentices and for the outstanding quality of her work, which has always been a reference point for her colleagues.
Unfortunately Georgia wasn’t able to attend the awards event in person.
Michael, 22, a Level 3 AAT accounting apprentice at Yusen Logistics, received a special award for being outstanding in this category due to his invaluable contribution to his employer, where he independently solved a major remote working challenge during lockdown.
Michael, from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, who was able to attend the event, said: "It was all unexpected and a shock! It shows what you can do when you put your head down and have the right attitude to work. I would like to thank everyone at Yusen as this wouldn't have been possible without them, as well as Chloe my tutor, the support I have been given has been amazing."
Meanwhile, several other college apprentices received nomination finalist certificates.
The awards sponsors were Mansfield Building Society, Ashfield District Council, Ashfield Effluent Services Ltd, Discover Ashfield, Mansfield District Council, B Jephson Mansfield Ltd, Calluna Associates, Pinewood Properties, Premier Security 24/7 UK Ltd and West Nottinghamshire College.