A week of celebrations has begun in spectacular style as the first of the Bradford College FE and Apprenticeship Award ceremonies took place today (5 July).
The awards highlight the exceptional achievements of the Bradford College Class of 2021, recognising those students who have not only overcome the challenges of the past academic year but excelled.
Today saw the celebration of students from Construction and Engineering and Professional and Leisure Services, who have all been specially selected by their tutors to receive special recognition.
Opening the ceremony, Dawn Leak, Vice Principal, said: “It is our pleasure to recognise your successes and achievements at this ceremony.”
Presenting the awards to students within his department, Greg O’Shea, Head of Construction and Engineering, said: “You really do represent the best of Bradford College.”
Receiving the Head of Department Award for 16-18 Student of the Year was Moussa Shahid. Moussa started with the college last year on a level 1 Electrical Installation course and progressed to level 2 this year. Since starting, he has flourished and put himself in pole position for an apprenticeship as well as rising to the top of the class. Greg said: “We are so proud of the progress he has made this year and the determination he has shown in gaining employment is an example for all other students.”
After receiving the award, Moussa said: “I feel really happy to have achieved this. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my tutors.”
Kofi Casey achieved the Head of Department for Employability and Work Readiness. His tutors put him forward for being: “An overall an excellent model student, and his determination, resilience and will to be the best he can be that makes us think his employability skills are off the chart.”
Kofi said: “This drives me to believe in myself and strive for more.”
Kingsley Domfeh was presented the Head of Department for Leadership and Peer Support for representing his class as course rep, and always putting the needs of others before his own. He said: “I have always had a passion for cars since I was five years old. I chose to go down the mechanical engineering route because this was where my heart was.”
Kingsley has now succeeded in gaining a two-year apprenticeship with Halfords and has ambitions to open his own garage further into the future, fixing cars as well as motorbikes and importing vehicles from overseas.
Shane Brumfitt was “really happy” after receiving his Head of Department Award for Adult Student of the Year for outstanding progress, while Bronson Bell was celebrating being named Student of the Year for English.
Leon Lad was named Overall Student of the Year for Construction and Engineering. He secured a job with an engineering company in Leeds in April. Seizing the chance at getting a foot in the door, it meant Leon had to complete his course work whilst working. He said, “It would’ve been great to just concentrate on the course work, but I was thrilled to get a job in engineering, I couldn’t pass it up. So I had to work hard to juggle my course work and working at the same time.”
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Bradford College and appreciate the support given to me to help me get into a career in engineering. My employer is pretty great too, they gave me the day off to come to these awards, and have asked me to send them a photo of me at the awards to put up at work.”
Bev Fox, Head of Professional & Leisure Services, presented awards to students in her department. Wajid Hussain gained the English Student of the Year Award for his commitment to improving his GCSE grade and working at an extremely high standard, while Maths Student of the Year went to Matthew Rubery.
Matthew, who has now gained a job as a sports facilities assistant with the college, said: “The staff have been motivational and pushed me to give my best.”
Student of the Year for Fitness / Massage was Katy Smith, who has gained outstanding results in her exams and is now employed as a massage therapist receiving excellent feedback for her skill and ability.
Katy originally undertook a Level 2 course but enjoyed her studies at Bradford College so much she went on to Level 3. She is hoping to embark on a degree in physiotherapy in September. She said: “The support I have received has been amazing.”
The ceremony was the first of five events taking place at Bradford College’s Trinity Green campus throughout the week. Closing today’s awards, Dawn Leak said: “You take these awards home knowing you have succeeded in what truly might be the most unique year of your lives.”
You can view today’s event on our special event page: https://www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/feawards/
The FE and Apprenticeship Student Award winners announced at today’s event were:
Construction and Engineering
Professional and Leisure
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