Olympian praise for college’s success

May 9 2008 Chester Chronicle

OLYMPIC hero Sir Matthew Pinsent was the guest of honour at a West Cheshire College gala evening

The quadruple gold medallist was welcomed to Ellesmere Port Civic Hall to celebrate the college’s success in becoming one of the first 26 providers in the UK to achieve the Learning and Skills Council’s (LSC) new standard for employer responsiveness.

The new standard highlights excellence in the two areas that employers say is most important to them: provider responsiveness to employer needs and provider excellence in a particular vocational area.

The college, which has campuses in Chester, Ellesmere Port, and Capenhurst, also received accreditation for its work in engineering.

Guests at the event included more than 100 key employers from across the region including Unilever, the Bank of America, Quinn Glass and the Macdonald Blossoms Hotel in Chester, along with the Mayor of Ellesmere Port & Neston, Councillor Ted Lloyd, Ellesmere Port & Neston MP Andrew Miller, Chester MP Christine Russell and city councillors.

Sir Matthew said: “I would like to congratulate West Cheshire College on being one of the first 26 providers in the UK to achieve the LSC’s new standard for employer responsiveness.

“There is something very special about achieving your goals and being successful. The key to my success was about finding a goal that interested me and that was right for me, then dedicating my time to pushing myself to achieving it.

“Teamwork and encouragement are also key along the way and I would like to congratulate the college for their hard work and dedication.”

College principal, Sara Mogel, added: “It is an honour to celebrate our success with one of the UK’s most remarkable Olympic champions.

“Achieving the new standard is proof of our on-going commitment to build meaningful and lasting partnerships with our customers.”

The news follows recent planning approval of the college’s £70m new building programme in Chester and Ellesmere Port, which will provide learning opportunities for over 20,000 students.

Chester MP Christine Russell said: “The gala evening provided a great inspirational event, with Sir Matthew focussing on the quality of vocational and skills training and the value of teamwork in achieving your goals.

“Investment in quality vocational training remains a top priority if Britain is to remain prosperous and the government, employers and individuals all have a part to play if the UK is to succeed.”