West Cheshire College ends successful year with Chester Cathedral Awards Night

Jan 13 2011 Chester Chronicle

WEST Cheshire College rounded off a successful 2010 by celebrating its annual college awards at Chester Cathedral.

Students and their families from across Ellesmere Port and Chester attended the event that celebrated the achievements of 47 students who have excelled on their course or Apprenticeship.

Awards were presented by Wallasey-born former England rugby player and Strictly Come Dancing favourite Austin Healey.

Austin, who shared his personal experiences of growing up on the Wirral and the defining moments in his life, said: “It was a wonderful and inspiring evening to meet all the students.

“The awards not only reflect the dedication each student has shown over the past 12 months but it will give each of them the confidence to continue to succeed in the future.”

Victoria Louise Connelly, 20, from Chester, winner of the E Noel Humphries Award in Painting and Decorating, said: “I started studying art and design as I thought I might like a career in interior design but after two years I realised that I would rather do something a bit more hands on, so I started a painting and decorating course at the college.

“It was through the course that I secured an apprenticeship with Grosvenor Designs, a painting and decorating company based in Chester, and found that I enjoyed it so much I wanted to make a career out of it.

“After I finished my course I continued working with Grosvenor Designs on a full-time basis and have now been there about 18 months, doing both interior and exterior work.

“I’m really lucky to have landed such a great job where I can learn and gain more experience. If it wasn’t for the college offering such specialised opportunities I wouldn’t have a career I love.”

Chester hairdresser Claire Carty, aged 40, winner of the Jenny Ellis Hairdressing Student of the Year, said: “I have been a stay-at-home mum for the last 15 years, raising my three children; but it got to the stage where they were growing up and I wanted to take on a new challenge.

“I loved styling hair when I was younger and always wished I could have done a hairdressing course. It was only when my sister-in-law enrolled at West Cheshire College that I thought I could do that and as I was in the process of moving from Birkenhead to Chester it seemed like the ideal opportunity.

“I attend college two days a week and absolutely love it. I’ve even inspired my kids too – since I started my two eldest have enrolled at college and now we are all in education.

“My confidence has soared and I know I can now go out there and get a job in hairdressing. I feel like I have finally done something for myself and because of that a new world has opened itself up to me.

“Winning the award was a total shock but it is great to have been recognised. I now plan to continue with the Level 3 and hope to get a job in a salon or set up my own mobile hairdressing business.”

Principal Sara Mogel added: “The college awards not only celebrate the achievements of individual students who through hard work and commitment have stood out from their peers; but also mark the end of an incredible year for the college in which around 22,000 people have learned with us.”

For more information call the college hotline on 01244 670600.