The Cornwall Works WISE Awards 2011
“The strength of our economic regeneration is based on tapping into the talents of all of our people. And we are all inspired by the achievements of others” – Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office.
The Cornwall Works WISE Awards 2011 celebrate Cornwall's outstanding successes
The Cornwall Works WISE (Welfare to work, Innovation, Skills and Employment) Awards, which recognise and celebrate excellence in employment and skills activity in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, were held on the morning of May 9th at the Headland Hotel, Newquay.
The awards highlight the important role that the European Social Fund Convergence Programme plays in employment, skills, training and innovation across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and the outstanding individuals and organisations that have shown excellence and made such a difference to people's lives.
The awards, now in their fourth year, were hosted by Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (photo courtesy of Simon Burt Photography), and keynote speakers included Wendy Violentino, the Head of the European Social Fund division, Chris Hines of A Grain of Sand (also founder of Surfers Against Sewage and formerly the Eden Project Sustainability Director), and Dave Meneer of Fifteen Cornwall—the outstanding social enterprise restaurant in Watergate Bay.
Those recognised for their outstanding work were:
Welfare to Work, Individual Award winner: Jeff Davis. Jeff has overcome many obstacles to return to work and has been supported by Cornwall Works for Learning Disability and People First.
Welfare to Work, Organisation/Project Award winner: Cornwall Fire and Rescue Team, who have run a series of innovative and inspirational courses to help people gain confidence and raise their aspirations. These courses have been an incredible success.
Innovation, Project/Group/Organisation Award winner: Trac Services, a Regulatory Affairs Consultancy developing skills and careers opportunities for graduates in Cornwall.
Innovation, Individual winner: James Jobling-Purser, a Camborne School of Mines PhD graduate who invented a state-of-the-art robot for use in mine surveying.
Skills, Project/Group/Organisation Award winner: Newquay for Excellence Training (NFET), who have pioneered a unique approach to upskilling the local workforce.
Skills, Individual winner: Mark Williams, Head of Provider Accounts for the Skills Funding Agency. Mark has worked hard to create joined-up employment and skills delivery in Cornwall, playing an important part in the introduction of many vital skills and enterprise programmes in the County. Mark said: “I love doing what I do and I do what I do because of Cornwall - it is our home and we want to make it the best place to live and work. The beauty of ESF Convergence is that we have been given opportunities to do what we need to do. It has given us opportunities to try things out, be innovative, take a few risks and really make a difference by securing successes for individuals and groups."
Employers, Welfare to Work Award winner: The Seafood Restaurant. Rick and Jill Stein’s businesses now employ over 400 people and stated how Jobcentre Plus had provided invaluable support.
Employers, Skills Award winner: Winns Waste Management, a recycling and waste management company based in Penryn that is famous for its staff development and training.
Outstanding Achievement Award winner: Richard Bayly, of the Government Office South West, leaves a legacy of championing many successful economic projects in Cornwall and supporting many organisations, including the Eden Project, Combined Universities in Cornwall, and Fifteen Cornwall, and has worked tirelessly to release the potential of individuals in Cornwall. Richard said: "Leadership is not about power...but is about empowering others" and expressed his hope that "Cornwall will sell its success vigorously—as it has such a wonderful story to tell."
Carleen Kelemen introduced a new award in the memory of Blair Thompson, the last Chair of the Cornwall Strategic Partnership. Mark Yeoman, the Deputy Director of the Convergence Partnership Office became the first recipient of the award.. Mark has worked behind the scenes and his role Cornwall successes are immeasurable. Mark said: “It is a great honour to receive this award and be connected with the selfless partnership working that was the hallmark of all that Blair Thompson championed across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Above: the winners of the WISE Awards 2011 (photo courtesy of Simon Burt Photography).
