‘Resilience’ of student stars and graduates praised at college awards

Students at NWSLC were praised for their ‘dogged determination to succeed against all odds’ at a celebration event on 20 January 2023 to recognise their achievements. Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive, highlighted how students from across the college had demonstrated high levels of resilience over a challenging period, gaining skills and qualifications to form a sound basis for their future careers.

The celebrations recognised representatives of over 10,000 students and apprentices aged 14 and above who studied with NWSLC last year completing qualifications from foundation to degree level across the college’s seven campuses. Congratulating the students and graduates and presenting the prizes was guest of honour Andrew Turner from NWSLC’s governing body. More than 200 students collected certificates for their higher education and professional qualifications on the night.

Awards winners collecting STAR Awards included:

Hattie Parnham from Wigston who was named Construction Apprentice of the Year and also won the Principal’s Prize for overall Student of the Year. Hattie, an apprentice with Ashby Decorator Centre, competed in the painting and decorating skills competition in the finals of WorldSkills UK 2022 – and came home with the Silver medal!

Automotive and Engineering Student of the Year, Grace Ayliff from Hinckley is set to exceed her target grades as part of her engineering diploma and supports her peers so well, she has been described as a ‘second lecturer’ in the classroom.

Matehullah Mastan from Nuneaton was named as 14-16 Rising Star after he joined the college in 2021 as a Year 10 student from George Eliot Academy.