The Rt Hon. Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for the South West and Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, opened proceedings at the South West's first ESF awards ceremony. The ceremony was held on 18 March at Exeter's Rougemount Thistle hotel and awards were presented in twelve categories. The Minister emphasised how important it is for individuals and organisations to take credit and pride in their achievements, and he welcomed the awards as recognition of the hard work needed to make positive change.
The awards were organised and presented by Government Office for the South West (GOSW) who received nominations from across the whole region. The awards were supported by the South West Regional Development Agency, Jobcentre Plus, the Learning and Skills Council and the Convergence Partnership office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
In receiving the Convergence Personal Achievement award, Arron Edwards, a Fifteen Cornwall graduate, said he was extremely proud and recognised that his success will rub off on others. Arron said: 'I arrived at Fifteen with personal issues and this award is just fantastic. Since I left, I have had so many great offers and this will really help too, but best of all it will make others like me think that if I can do it, so can they.'
The Competitiveness Employers and Skills award went to Body Positive, a charity that supports people living with HIV. The project takes on people who are furthest from work and trains them to be HIV trainers. In accepting the award, Richard Erven, manager of Body Positive said: 'We are really pleased with this award. It is recognition for all the valuable work carried out by our trainers and is a big stamp of credibility that will help us secure funding to extend our work across the South West.'
Beyond celebrating individual achievement and corporate philanthropy, the awards also recognised the role played by the funding organisations and how they help to raise aspirations. The SW ESF Outstanding Contribution Award went to Carolyn Webster, European Programmes and Funding Manager for Jobcentre Plus (JCP), who have supported more than 4,600 people and have consistently been the best performing Department of Work and Pensions contract.
The SW ESF awards ceremony was an uplifting event which worked on a number of levels, particularly with the next round of ESF funding just around the corner. Not only did it recognise success and hard work but its publicity will attract even more talented organisations that can effectively invest ESF to provide individuals with brighter futures.
Download a full list of award winners
Top (left to right):
- Conrad Hutchinson - Competitiveness Personal Achievement
- James Follett - Xtravert - Convergence Employment and Skills
- Shaz French - Convergence Personal Contribution
- Ian Sutton - Auditechnik - Competitiveness Employer of the Year
- Jade Bingham - Competitiveness Young Achiever
- Dee White - Convergence Young Achiever
- Tim Brinkman - Hall for Cornwall - Convergence Workforce Development
Bottom (left to right):
- Arron Edwards - Convergence Personal Achievement
- Andrew Thornhill - Mashfords - Convergence Employer of The Year
- Jim Knight MP
- Richard Erven - Body Positive - Competitiveness Employment and Skills
- Cynthia Thomas - Tutor/Mentor of The Year
