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in special online celebration featuring British sporting legend Kriss Akabusi MBE see
MEDIA ROUND-UP
Throughout the summer term, we achieved some excellent media coverage across both regional and educational press.
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Students return to ‘Super-Marriott #2’ after long lockdown
After the mind-blowing success of the first ‘Super-Marriott’ takeover back in March 2020, seven more enterprising students from London South East Colleges gave up their half-term break to take part in an intensive work experience challenge at the five-star London Marriott Hotel County Hall.
This year’s cohort were chosen from dozens of other hopefuls after senior managers from the hotel group conducted speed-interviews. Students were offered work-shadowing roles in General Management, Sales, Marketing, Finance, HR and Events, Engineering, Culinary and Food and Beverage. The aim of the exercise was to help launch meaningful career opportunities in the hotel, events and tourism sectors – particularly after the industries were hit hard during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Multi Property Director of Human Resources at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall, Alex Dimsdale said: “Last year, we created a unique partnership with London South East Colleges enabling us to open the doors of opportunity to those who made it through to this stage of the project. Just days after the pilot project was complete, the UK went into a full lockdown which devasted the hotel industry worldwide. Happily, we are now back on the road to economic recovery and I’m delighted that we can pick up where we left off just fourteen months ago.”
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Sporting legend, Kriss Akabusi MBE helps college students celebrate their achievements Students at London South East Colleges celebrated their achievements virtually this year, in a special online celebration that included British sporting hero, Olympian and World Championshipwinning athlete Kriss Akabusi MBE.
Altogether, there were 20 awards made in ten categories including Adult, HE, FE, Apprentice, Special Educational Needs, ESOL, Work Experience Prince’s Trust and Employer of the Year. There was also a prize for Outstanding Contribution to the Community.
Kriss Akabusi said: “I spent much of my youth as a looked after child in social care and on leaving school (with no qualifications) I joined the British Army – I joined up because I wanted to be looked after and guided in the right direction, I needed leadership and that’s what I got – from a man known as Sergeant McKenzie.
From there, where I believe I really got started in life, with someone who really believed in me, to where I am now has been a long and on-going journey. I have been a soldier, a professional athlete, a TV presenter, public speaker and in 2020, I achieved my Masters in Existential Coaching.
I have had setbacks and knockbacks like everyone else but have always picked myself up and started again. I never give up.
To be a success, you may first have to taste failure and realise that there are all kinds of hurdles to jump or get around in life before reaching the finishing line. Whether you finish first, second, third or even last, there will be a lesson learned from everything you do. Learn those lessons and continually grow and develop. Teamwork and lifelong learning are key to a bright and successful future for you all. Remember this, it isn’t where you start, it’s where you finish.”
