UK Training Industry Press Releases

VT Group learners and learning advisers have secured no less than five medals in the City & Guilds Medals for Excellence 2010.  City & Guilds, the UK's leading awarding body for work-related qualifications, has awarded the coveted medals every year since 1879.  The Medals for Excellence programme rewards talented people who have displayed exceptional standards as students or educational professionals, and whose portfolio and achievements put them a cut above the rest.  

The awards have gone to VT learning advisers Cathy Stevenson and Neil Walshaw, who train apprentices in Retail and Active Leisure respectively.  Cathy and Neil were singled out by the judges for the exceptionally high standards to which they deliver training; inspiring learners and encouraging and supporting a diverse range of learners to excel in their chosen fields.

The three VT learners who have been awarded medals are Angela Busfield (Hospitality), Jason Matthews (Active Leisure) and Mark Richie (Hospitality).  All three were chosen for their commitment and hard work throughout their learning programmes.  They have not only made substantial steps on their own career pathways, but have also brought benefits to the businesses that they work for.

All the winners receive their medals at regional ceremonies during March and April.  They will then be in the running to win one of nine prestigious Lion Awards, dubbed the ‘education Oscars', which will be announced later this year at a gala event to celebrate learning, success and achievement at The Lancaster in London.

-ENDS-

VT Group's Training business has over 18,000 young people on work-based learning programmes including Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships.

VT Group's Training business operates in a wide range of industry sectors including engineering, automotive, hospitality, retail, care and active leisure.

VT Group's Training business is contracted with the Learning & Skills Council, Welsh Assembly Government, Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland and Skills Development Scotland for the delivery of government-funded workforce development training programmes all over England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

VT Group's Training business operates from 20 offices across the UK.

VT Group is the UK's largest provider of education and training support services, employing over 12,000 people with its headquarters in Southampton, UK. The Group operates in a wide range of markets including education, defence, secure communications, waste and nuclear services.

For the year ended 31 March 2009 VT Group reported turnover for its continuing operations of £1,096 million (2008: £845 million) and Group Underlying Profit Before Tax of £86.6 million (2008: £61.6 million). The order book for continuing operations was around £4.5 billion as of the end of March 2009.

More information can be found at http:///www.vttraining.co.uk

VT Education and Skills Ltd

Shore House

Compass Road

North Harbour

Portsmouth

Hants

PO1 3AQ

T: +44 (0)23 9233 9066

F: +44 (0)23 9233 9001

www.vtplc.com/educationandskills

Johnny Johnson

ClearLine Communications Ltd for VT Group

Tel 01273 507377