Press and Media
Beverley student scoops regional ‘Oscar’ award
A touch of Hollywood glamour was brought to the region by the Celebration of Learning and Skills Awards Yorkshire and the Humber 2008, (CoLaS), when Sarah Cobb from Driffield was announced as a winner at the spectacular awards ceremony hosted by presenter Fearne Cotton.
Sarah, who began her agricultural studies at Bishop Burton College in Beverley, was selected from over 250 nominees to win the CoLaS Agriculture award to recognise her exceptional progress and learning achievements whilst trying to cope with difficulties with literacy and numeracy.
Sarah enrolled on the National Certificate in Agriculture (NCA) at Bishop Burton College in September 2004, and despite poor GCSE results, successfully completed the NCA course with a Merit and chose to progress to the National Diploma in Agriculture. In addition, Sarah also completed a wide range of additional industry qualifications including Forklift, Farm Welding and Repair and Safe Use of Veterinary Medicines.
She also went on to represent the College and put her newly acquired skills to the test in a UK Skills competition where was recognised with third place and was also a member of a small team of students who were awarded the Driffield Agricultural Society trophy for the best final year case study.
Currently studying Agriculture at Aberystwyth University, Sarah was thrilled to receive the award. She said,
“It means so much, it’s brilliant! I didn’t quite realise my chances of winning until I was one of the few to be shortlisted. I’m still lost for words. It’s really amazing and I’m very proud. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my friends and family. The NCA was really worthwhile and the opportunity to go to the UK Skills competition and then to win a CoLaS award have been a real boost to my confidence and desire to continue learning.”
TV presenter Fearne Cotton, who earlier in the year rubbed shoulders with the stars on the red carpet of the Oscars in LA, was at The Harrogate International Centre to present the CoLaS awards. She said:
“The Celebration of Learning and Skills Awards are an important way to recognise the importance of learning and skills in all of our lives. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the CoLaS 2008 and especially witnessing the inspirational success stories of individuals’ and employers’ learning and skills achievements - many in the face of adversity.”
The winners were joined on the red carpet by CoLaS event sponsors Yorkshire Forward, Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority, Digital 2010, Yorkshire and Humberside Assessment Limited, Community Training Services, R and B Group, Oracle Training Consultants and the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Skills Partnership and VIPs Wynford Dore, Scott Quinell and Steve Black. Over 1000 of the region’s business leaders, employers and education representatives also attended Yorkshire and the Humber’s equivalent to the learning and skills ‘Oscars’ to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the region’s top employers and individuals.
