The Festival of learning is coordinated by the Learning and Work Institute (formally NIACE) and runs throughout the year, culminating in regional and national awards which highlight the amazing achievements of adult learners who improve their lives through learning, often overcoming real adversity and hardship and also of organisations which support and promote learning. Their stories are inspirational and valuable to hear and serve to remind us what is possible through sheer determination and hard work.

 

NOCN MD Graham presenting awards at the festival of learning

The week long awards celebrations included the national awards event in Birmingham on 13 September and then a Parliamentary on 14 September, hosted by the Skills Minister Robert Halfon MP.

The 2016 winners are available to view here.

NOCN directly sponsored two Awards Categories:

• Learning for Work Award - the national winner was Sean Hardy, who has learning difficulties and who completed an NOCN Employability qualification whilst working for the NHS. View his video

 

• Employer of the Year Award - the national winner was the Organisational Learning Team, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust who did great work as a pioneer of apprenticeships in the NHS. View their video

 

NOCN MD Graham Hasting-Evans presented the NOCN Awards at the Birmingham event and said:

“These stories are inspirational and heartening to hear. It is my privilege to help shortlist the winners and every year this is a very hard task because all the learners are really winners – which may sound like a cliché but it is true in this case.

Adult learning is important not just for the individuals but for our nation which desperately needs more skilled workers to boost our productivity. NOCN will continue to promote and support this great cause.”