B&FC student attends Parliamentary reception to collect national apprenticeship award

A Blackpool and The Fylde College student who was highly commended in the national Association of Colleges Student of the Year Awards has visited Parliament to receive his award.

Shaun Lamb, 23, from Blackpool, was shortlisted for national Apprentice of the Year by the Association of Colleges and was invited to its Gold Awards reception in the House of Commons’ Terrace Pavilion earlier this month.

He was accompanied at the event by B&FC Head of Apprenticeships Colleen Hickson.

She said: “This was a fantastic achievement by Shaun, who had only recently overcome a brain tumour when he enrolled on his Plumbing Level 2 apprenticeship.

“Despite those challenges he maintained a 100 per cent attendance record and impressed so much on work experience that his current company had no hesitation taking him on for an apprenticeship.

“He is an amazing young man who has faced all the challenges life has put before him and has proven he has the motivation to progress on to a successful career.”

During the reception, Shaun had the opportunity to discuss his apprenticeship with the Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Further Education, Peter Kyle MP.

After receiving his award, Shaun said: “I’m really proud to have received the commendation.

“The staff at Blackpool and The Fylde College are excellent and the teaching is really in-line with industry practices so I have enjoyed my time at a College – as well as the practical experience and help I have been given by my employer.”

The AoC Gold Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of successful and influential people who have attended further education and sixth form colleges. Shaun was in good company at this year’s event. Lion King actor Shaun Escoffery, BBC reporter Sima Kotecha and Theatre Director Phillip Breen were among the high-achieving further education alumni receiving a prestigious Association of Colleges’ (AoC) Gold Awards.