The college was presented with the Employability Provider Award at the Discover Ashfield Awards – an annual event that brings together residents and businesses from the district to celebrate the achievements of local people during the past 12 months.
Showcasing all that is best about living, visiting, working, studying and doing business in Ashfield, the awards also recognise those who are doing great work within the district.
The event, held at Kirkby Leisure Centre on 2 February, was compered by the chair of Discover Ashfield, Martin Rigley MBE, who joined fellow Discover Ashfield ambassadors in presenting awards.
Guests heard how the college delivers an extensive range of courses for local adults, designed to help them gain new skills and qualifications, secure employment, and develop on-the-job as they progress along the career ladder.
It also works with a large network of employers across the district to help train adults and enable their business to prosper.
College principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley said: “I am delighted the college has won this award. Many people across the organisation have worked really hard to build partnerships and create new opportunities to support local people into sustained and rewarding careers.
“Helping people to fulfil their potential and contribute to their community is what motivates many of us at the college. I’m really proud of our achievements to date, and our ambitions are to do even more in the future.”
Cllr Matt Relf, executive lead member for growth, regeneration and local planning at Ashfield District Council, attended on the evening to show his support and said: “There are an abundant amount of businesses and organisations who work tirelessly to ensure Ashfield has the best opportunities available to all of our residents and I am so proud to support and celebrate them.”
Leader of the council, Cllr Jason Zadrozny, said: “It was an honour to be part of such a special evening at the Discover Ashfield Awards, just as it is every year. We will continue to celebrate all the people who make living, working and learning in Ashfield an extraordinary place to be.”
The council’s chief executive, Theresa Hodgkinson, was thrilled to attend and said: “The Discover Ashfield Awards is a fantastic opportunity to showcase and shine a light on people who work hard throughout the year, from organisations to individuals. There are so many deserving people in Ashfield and we can’t wait to celebrate more of them next year.”
Click here to see a short video about the college’s adult employability provision.
Discover Ashfield was set up in 2017 and includes representation from a wide range of business, community and public sector bodies, including academies, further education institutions, and business networking group Mansfield and Ashfield 2020. The work done by Discover Ashfield includes raising the profile of the district through positive promotion, creating pride and aspirations in its communities, improving the vibrancy of town centres, encouraging and promoting inward investment, and supporting tourism and the visitor economy in the Ashfield area.
Community representation on Discover Ashfield is from Citizens Advice Ashfield and Ashfield Voluntary Action, Ashfield District Council, and Nottinghamshire County Council. The board is chaired by a business community representative, with secretarial support provided by Ashfield District Council.