Festival awards for adult learners
More than 40 adults received recognition for their efforts in improving their skills, knowledge and qualifications at the Dannevirke Festival of Adult Learning Awards, held at the Hub on Thursday September 6.
A number of groups were nominated for awards for outstanding learners, including a group developing computer skills, Tararua Alliance staff, Rangitane a Tamaki Nui a Rua, Dannevirke Community Youth Services, Manawarangi and Workforce Development.
The winner was the Workforce Development Catering Group of Ursula Trueman, Cheyenne Braggins, Shun Hui Shen, Sandra Sargent and Kath Reiri.
This group has been undergoing an intensive catering course under the guidance of tutor Marise Karatiana and catered the function.
There were a number of nominations for the Exceptional Adult Educator Award, including Stewart Mead for PC tuition, Elspeth Atkinson for art tuition, Tamai Nicholson for teaching of te reo Ma¯ ori and Jono Harrison for tutoring of car licences.
The award went to the Tararua REAP tutors Vicky Milham, Charlotte Sutton, Elspeth Atkinson, Mick Wheeler, Vanessa Moke, Moses Moke, Candice David, Ron Te Kawa, Karen Shannon and Kynan Griffiths.
Claire Chapman, CEO of Tararua REAP, welcomed guest speaker Margaret Kouvelis from CEO Talent Central.
She stressed the importance of adults gaining new skills to help enter the workforce, with a declining number of young people entering it and a shortage of skills.
She said the traditional steps from school to university and then the workforce failed many who would have been better to gain an apprenticeship or other form of training.
She said a qualification is “a ticket to an exciting journey into the universe of possibility”.
Deputy Mayor Allan Benbow, speaking on behalf of Mayor Tracey Collis said all the learners and educators were to be congratulated and the Adult Awards were dear to the heart of Mayor Collis.