Inaugural Liverpool City Region awards ceremony celebrates adult learning

Adult learners funded through Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) celebrated their academic success at a new awards ceremony.

Radio City (now Hits Radio) presenter Leanne Campbell hosted the event at The Florrie, in Liverpool, and handed out trophies to winners in 13 different categories.

The inaugural city region-wide adult education awards recognised students aged 19 and over who have completed adult learning courses using funding secured by Mayor Rotheram and the combined authority.

LCRCA commissions and funds adult education with an annual budget (AEB) of around £53m.

David Galbraith, an Inclusive Learning Advisor at Myerscough College, was named as the city region’s first ever Learner of the Year while La Salle Hotel School, which helps budding chefs and gardeners learn their craft, won the Referral Partner of the Year award.

Councillor Marion Atkinson, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Portfolio Holder for Employment, Education and Skills and Leader of Sefton Council, said:

“We are ambitious about upskilling the city region’s workforce and this year made the largest investment yet into adult skills training – almost £60m. Our adult education budget traditionally supports more than 30,000 students with 75% from disadvantaged areas so it is great that we celebrate the achievements of our inspirational learners and providers.”

Realise successfully applied for the funds to co-ordinate the Liverpool City Region Adult Education Awards and has worked in conjunction with LCRCA to launch them and celebrate the achievements of local learners in a range of local colleges and training providers.

Gregg Scott, CEO at Realise, said:

“Having so many incredible learners in one room and hearing their amazing stories was truly inspirational for everyone in attendance.

“Adult education training in the Liverpool City Region has a huge role to play in helping enhance the employment credentials of thousands of people and we are delighted to play our part in helping to deliver that.

“This was a unique awards ceremony that brought together multiple training providers and their learners under one roof for a major celebration.

“We were proud to work with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to deliver these awards and create a memorable occasion for all involved.”

Adult Learner of the Year awards were presented for six local authority areas: Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. The other categories are Learning to Gain Work, Learning in Work, Progression in Learning, Health & Wellbeing and Social Integration.

The awards were open to anyone in the Liverpool City Region who has completed an AEB course since the start of 2023.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has had devolved powers for AEB since 2019.

As part of this funding LCRCA has funded a series of celebrations in learning this year, including an awards ceremony for adult learners that celebrates their achievements with local colleges and training providers.

Realise, the awards co-ordinating training provider, delivers adult education provision in the city region to more than 1,000 adults every year, with curriculum that includes early years, functional skills in English and maths, teaching assistant skills, hairdressing, IT Skills, employability and customer service and nationally supports more than 1,000 employers and more than 10,000 learners a year throughout apprenticeships and adult education courses.

For more information, visit www.realisetraining.com

Winners

Learning to Gain Work Award – Demilea Holmes

Learning in Work Award – David Galbraith

Progression in Learning Award – Maria Welsby

Social Integration Award – Laura Burns & Rebecca Holt

Health and Wellbeing Award – Jason Bowen

Referral Partner of the Year Award – La Salle Hotel School

Adult Learner of the Year Award for Halton – Fiona Fiddes

Adult Learner of the Year Award for Knowsley – Sophie Buchanan

Adult Learner of the Year Award for Liverpool – Reece Doyle

Adult Learner of the Year Award for Sefton – John Underwood

Adult Learner of the Year Award for St Helens – Louise Cunningham

Adult Learner of the Year Award for Wirral – Clementine Jones

Adult Learner of the Year Award for Liverpool City Region – David Galbraith