Springvale Learning students graduated in style this year in front of a packed audience of VIP’s, students, parents and tutors. The ceremony was held in Springvale Learning’s own premises allowing all who attended to take full advantage of the centre’s excellent facilities and to showcase their achievements.

Thursday 14th June 2012, saw four hundred and seventy four students invited to the annual graduation ceremony held in Springvale Learning with approximately 1,150 qualifications achieved in total, including VQ’s, NVQ’s and Essential Skills. The qualifications were gained in Plumbing, Electrical Engineering, Joinery, Business and Computing Technology, Catering, Retail, Hospitality, Hair and Beauty and Digital Media, by students who had participated on the Training for Success, Apprenticeship NI and Steps to Work programmes.

This year’s guest speaker was Helen Bready, City & Guilds Territory Customer Support Manager, N Ireland, SW England & Wales. Helen stated:

‘It is always an honour for me to be out and about with our centres but even more so on a day like today when you get to meet and see learners achieve their certificates.  To me this is what I am in my job for, seeing a sense of fulfilment through you being awarded certificates for your achievements in your chosen area of learning and on receiving recognition for a job well done and hopefully bringing you a step nearer to an opportunity for employment and further progression within the training world.’

Helen further went on to focus on three key areas and while not underestimating the importance of vocational qualifications, she reiterated the importance of Essential Skills, Personal & Social Skills and Employability Skills to ensure that students are work ready. These were the skills employers were looking for in candidates.

In her conclusion Helen congratulated all involved in the Award Ceremony, the students, tutors, assessors, support staff in Springvale and parents, family and friends and encouraged our students ‘to believe that you can’.

Special Student achievements were recognised with commendation given to Stephen McKeown who was awarded the Paddy Kennedy IT Trophy, Noel McGarrity winner of the Margaret Huges Essential Skills Award and the County Antrim overall Essential Skills winner and Aodhan Doherty who received the Julian Crozier Apprenticeship Award.