Awards success for future stars of construction
CGA's charitable subsidiary, Preston Vocational Centre (PVC), celebrated the achievements of its school and sixth form learners with their Annual Awards Evening in early July.
During the ceremony, students received their City & Guilds Level 1 Awards and units, Certificates and Extended Certificates and Diplomas in Construction Skills, with some gaining special awards for their outstanding work in specific trades. Winners received trophies and a fully equipped toolkit to set them up for their future careers, and the award for Student of the Year finished the evening in style.
After the awards ceremony, guests had the chance to look around the fantastic facilities and resources on offer at the Centre, chatting to students and staff.
Rob Wakefield, Chief Executive of Community Gateway Association, PVC’s parent body said:
"Congratulations to all this year’s students for such great results. We’re really proud of how far you’ve come, you should be very proud of yourselves. Well done too to the PVC staff, who genuinely go the extra mile to help transform the lives of local young people and prepare them for their next steps."
Centre Manager, Martin Grayston, added:
"This is my favourite night of the year! Congratulations to all our students who have worked so hard this year and gained a recognised qualification, I’m so proud of you all. Congratulations and thanks too to my team, who have worked so hard to support all our learners. I’d also like to thank our sponsors, partners and patrons who have helped us so much with resources, training, placements and more."
His words were echoed by Mick Higgins, Chair of the PVC Board, who presented the awards. Mick, founder of local company Xacom also thanked the organisations who have supported PVC over the year, with building materials, training opportunities, apprenticeships and kind donations.
PVC works with 24 local schools to provide hands-on opportunities in different areas of construction, including plastering, joinery, decorating and brickwork, with the aim of engaging young people in learning and increasing their employment prospects, as well as supporting their personal development. The Centre has worked with over 6500 students since opening in 2009.
The 2022-23 winners were:
- Student of the Year Award, sponsored by Conlon Construction: Ethan Bortoft
- Best All-Round Ability, sponsored by Community Gateway Association: Alfie Raymond
- Best All-Round Ability, sponsored by Barnfield Construction: Keeva Crabtree
- Most Improved Student, sponsored by Travis Perkins: Josh Heaton
- Outstanding Achievement in Tiling, sponsored by Sika: Benjamin Preston
- Outstanding Achievement in Brickwork, sponsored by Persimmon Homes: Kian Sherrat
- Outstanding Achievement in Plastering, sponsored by JFN: Jake Parson
- Outstanding Achievement in Plumbing, sponsored by Xacom: Seamus Hackett
- Outstanding Achievement in Joinery and Carpentry, sponsored by CCH Joinery: Elliott Cook
- Outstanding Achievement in Painting and Decorating, sponsored by Seddon: Timothy Ashworth
