By Clare Kinrade

Last updated at 10:30, Friday, 22 June 2012

THE Golden Apple Awards for 2012 are underway – a chance to once again celebrate excellence in education and training across the area.

The CN Group Education and Learning Awards 2012 are back for the third year and promise to be bigger and better than ever.

This year the awards have been launched in association with Britain’s Energy Coast Campus and Active Travel.

There are 19 categories to highlight individual and team successes with awards for students, staff, and governors as well as employers, schools, work-based learning providers and trainees.

Some of the honours include Outstanding New Teacher and Apprentice of the Year, to Community Involvement and Innovation in the Arts.

Nominations in these free-to-enter awards can be submitted by anyone, not only those directly involved in education and training.

As the academic year draws to a close, the Golden Apples provide an opportunity to look back and reflect on the outstanding achievements in your community, nursery, school, college, university or work-based learning centre.

The winners will be revealed on October 4 at a gala evening at Rheged Centre, Redhills, Penrith.

David Helliwell, deputy publisher of Cumbrian Newspapers, said: “The Golden Apples have become a highlight in our calendar for recognising those who have achieved great things while studying and working in education and learning.

“We are now welcoming entries for our third awards following the outstanding success from the first two years. We are grateful to our sponsors Britain’s Energy Coast Campus and Active Travel for their valued support.”

BRITAIN’S Energy Coast Campus (BECC), the partnership pushing world-class education and learning opportunities to the forefront in Cumbria, has put its name behind this year’s Golden Apple Awards.

BECC is tasked with making sure the region can offer the skills and qualifications to drive through the county’s aim of becoming one of the leading nuclear and renewable energy locations in the UK.

Programme director Rob Rimmer said: “Education and learning is so important in making sure that local people take advantage of the major opportunities coming to Cumbria in the form of Britain’s Energy Coast. Being a key location for nuclear and renewable energy production means new prospects and jobs for people in the area.

“That is why we are so keen to continue our partnership with CN Group and celebrate, for the third year running, the county’s great achievements in education, skills, training and learning at the Golden Apple Awards 2012.”

The BECC programme is a partnership of further and higher education and vocational training providers including the University of Cumbria, Lakes College, Gen II, University of Manchester and Nuclear Management Partners.

It is supported by the NDA.

ASPIRATIONS in learning are key to the success of Cumbria’s education culture according to the Active Travel team at Cumbria County Council.

The initiative aims to increase the number of students using more sustainable means of travel including walking and cycling to and from school or college. Its emphasis is on encouragement and motivation.

The team puts in place strategies to turn negative thoughts into positive actions with the likes of county programmes aimed at improving the health and fitness of children and young people.

Dozens of schools are already involved in the range of Active Travel schemes but it is aiming to encourage even more schools and colleges to join.

Chris Wills, Active Travel advisor, said: “The Golden Apple Awards have a very strong identity in Cumbria, they recognise and highlight the motivation and work of those in education from parents to staff and even students themselves. For that reason we were keen to support the awards this year.

“Active Travel has helped increase walking to school in Cumbria by 15 per cent. Perhaps the most important aspect is that people recognise and appreciate the benefits of healthy and safe travel habits.”

First published at 11:10, Thursday, 21 June 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk