Posted on 16 September 2011
The birth of his daughter spurred on a Guildford College student whose work has won him a top prize at the 2011 Surrey County Apprentices/Diploma Awards.
Ben Willox, 24, of East Molesey, received the Wates Cup as the overall winning Diploma student after excelling on his NVQ Level 2 carpentry course. Nine of the 25 college students who won awards or bursaries at the ceremony at County Hall, Kingston, were from Guildford College or Merrist Wood College.
Ben Willox with the Wates Cup
“Having my little girl three years ago made me feel a stronger sense of responsibility,” said Ben, who works as a carpenter for Morrisons Facilities in Elmbridge and is now studying for a Level 3 qualification. “I had to make her proud by getting some qualifications. I’m over the moon about the award and it has made me want to keep on learning. My tutors have inspired me and I’m hoping to teach at a college myself in the future.”
Guildford College students Holly McInally and Will Hyde also won Diploma Awards, while Nathan Swansborough, Robert Maguire and Samantha Carrington-West won Surrey Apprentice Awards. Samantha, 27, of Bisley, is a former forensic science student who changed to studying plumbing and heating at Guildford College and now has her own successful company, Diamond Plumbing. “I decided I wanted a more practical career, to get out and meet people and to work for myself,” she said.
For the first time six Army bursaries of £1,000 a year were presented to students at the awards ceremony. Merrist Wood College students Rachel Graham, Ruth Knibbs and John Wardle were among the recipients. Ruth and John are both public services students at Merrist Wood. Rachel Graham, 20, of Effingham, is in the final year of her Animal Management degree at Merrist Wood College and hopes to be a dog handler in the Army. “I’m very grateful to have been awarded the bursary - it makes you want to do your best,” she said.
John Wardle and Ruth Knibbs
John Nutt, Director of Merrist Wood College, said: “The public services courses at Merrist Wood help young people develop a range of skills and personal attributes which provide excellent preparation for a career in a wide range of public services. These awards reflect the hard work and dedication shown by these students and are well deserved."
The Scholars and Apprenticeship Awards are organised by Surrey SATRO to recognise students’ achievements with financial support, certificates and trophies, helping them to find employment.