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The best up-and-coming construction talent in Preston was celebrated in a special ceremony this month.
Preston Vocational Centre hosted the awards – now in their fifteenth year – on 16 July, which recognised students’ development.
Many of the 14 to 19-year-olds obtained their City and Guilds level one Award in Construction Skills. The award includes bricklaying, joinery, painting, plumbing, electrics and more.
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The annual awards recognised 10 of the best students from this academic year for special recognition.
Isaac Robinson was named Student of the Year, Quinn Etienne was crowned Most Improved Student, while Katie Hinds and Thea Bateman each took home a Best All-Round Ability award.
Winners received a certificate, trophy and toolkit, presented by Martin Grayston, PVC Centre Manager and Rob Wakefield, Community Gateway Chief Executive.
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Martin said: “I loved every minute of the awards ceremony. It’s something we look forward to throughout the year and seeing the smiles on the parents’ faces was just so rewarding and wholesome. Thank you to everyone for coming and making the night such a special one. I hope the students and parents remember this for many years to come.
“Every single one of them has been on a remarkable journey of development, learning so many new skills, but I am most impressed by how they’ve matured into competent young adults who I would have no hesitation in hiring for my own company if I was in such a position.
“My congratulations go to all the winners. In particular, the student of the year Isaac Robinson has been a stand-out performer: across all disciplines, he’s shown that he has an enthusiasm for the trades; he has engaged with staff and other students; he is always willing to work hard, support and help others; and he helps staff around the centre. Isaac has shown that young people really have got what it takes to make a difference. He is very deserving of this accolade and has a very bright future ahead of him, as do all our fantastic young people.
“It’s also very important to recognise our amazing sponsors’ role in making these awards happen, so my heartfelt thanks go to Conlon Construction, Travis Perkins, Barnfield Construction, CCH Joinery, JFN Integrated Solutions, Persimmon Homes, Xacom, Seddon Construction, and Sika UK.”
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Preston Vocational Centre is the charitable subsidiary of the Community Gateway Association.
Rob Wakefield, Chief Executive said: “We’re nearing the 11th anniversary of PVC becoming our charitable subsidiary and in that time we’ve seen the centre go from strength to strength.
“Martin’s leadership, right from its formation in 2009, is crucial to its success and I’d like to thank Martin and all his wonderful staff for their efforts this year because these awards are as much about celebrating them and the success of the centre as it is about celebrating the students’ success. We are already looking forward to another excellent academic year for 2024/25.”
Full list of winners
Student of the year – Isaac Robinson (Sponsored by Conlon Construction)
Most improved student – Quinn Etienne (Sponsored by Travis Perkins)
Best all-round ability #1 – Katie Hinds (Sponsored by Community Gateway Association)
Best all-round ability #2 – Thea Bateman (Sponsored by Barnfield Construction)
Outstanding achievement in joinery and carpentry – Joe Aspden (Sponsored by CCH Joinery)
Outstanding achievement in plastering – Isaac Robinson (Sponsored by JFN Integrated Solutions)
Outstanding Achievement in Brickwork – Josh Grundy (Sponsored by Persimmon Homes)
Outstanding achievement in Plumbing – Leo Watson (Sponsored by Xacom)
Outstanding Achievement in Painting and Decorating – Callum Radcliffe (Sponsored by Seddon Construction)
Outstanding Achievement in Tiling – Maddison Price (Sponsored by SIKA UK)
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