The sixth annual LSIS STAR Awards – the Oscars of the learning and skills sector – were held in London on 26 November 2009, with a college vice principal, a union learning rep and a photojournalism lecturer among those honoured.

The awards recognise the dedication and expertise of the people who, on a daily basis, make a significant contribution to improving the skill levels of young people and adult learners. The winners were honoured at a glittering, cosmos themed national ceremony at Old Billingsgate in London, which was attended by over 500 learning and skills sector staff and learners from across England.

The 11 award winners:

Teaching, training and learning practitioner – peer nomination
Manjit Johal, team leader, Sandwell College

Teaching, training and learning practitioner – learner nomination
Neil Maclean, teacher, JHP Training, Birmingham

Response to learners' needs
Regional Centre for Learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (team), City College Norwich

Workforce development
Kevin Maddeys, union learning rep/NVQ assessor, First Group Bus Depot, Great Yarmouth

Learning support
Billy Courtney, specialist tutor, Newcastle College

Innovation
Sarah Snowdon, manager of OLASS contract, The Isle of Wight College

Skills for Life
Maggie Harnew, Skills for Life lecturer, Abingdon and Witney College

Engaging employers
Terence Anslow, contracts manager, Telford College of Arts and Technology

Support role
Gerrard Shaw, senior IT technician, Redbridge Institute of Adult Education

Leadership
Kanwal Patter, vice principal – Skills for Life and community cohesion, The Working Men’s College

Lifetime achievement
Paul Delmar, lecturer, photojournalism, Norton College, part of The Sheffield College

The awards ceremony, hosted by Mike Baker, former BBC broadcaster, and Reeta Chakrabarti, BBC political correspondent, opened with a blast as learners from Reynolds Performing Arts showcased a brilliant, athletic and technically demanding dance performance. The learners, who had won the opportunity to open the ceremony on the main stage through the ‘Sparkle Auditions’ wowed the audience with their quick moves and precision timing.

Kanwal Pattar, 2009 leadership winner said “I felt privileged to be nominated for such a prestigious award. It's the BAFTA of further education! That was something I never thought I would achieve."

Guests heard from Kevin Brennan, minister for further education who said: "The FE sector is vital to improving people's job prospects, helping employers to raise skills in their workforce and allowing people to strengthen their communities through shared involvement.

"In this economic climate you are all making a big difference to people's lives at this time. These awards give us the opportunity to recognise the finest in this vastly diverse and highly dynamic sector.

"The judges told us that the standard of nominations has been extremely high this year and they were overwhelmed at the commitment, sheer determination and passion shown by the nominees, sometimes against all the odds."
 
Dr David Collins, LSIS chief executive, said:

“The STAR Awards are a celebration of the hard working individuals who use their skills to improve provision across the sector. I am especially pleased that this year nominations came from all parts of our wide and diverse sector, including colleges, work-based and adult and community learning providers as well as offender institutions. I am also pleased that the judges found the standard and quality of the nominations higher than ever.”

For more information about the national ceremony, 2009 winners or for images from the event visit: http://starawards.excellencegateway.org.uk/