College student Hayley is on top of the world

Blackburn College student Hayley Barritt is celebrating the world-class performance that has brought her international recognition.

The 28-year-old has achieved the highest overall mark in the world for the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Advanced Diploma.

Blackburn College has been a CIPS Centre of Excellence for 20 years, offering the internationally recognised and industry leading award that is offered by study approved centres as far as Australia and Jakarta.

Hayley, pictured here, from Colne, is the second student from Blackburn College to scoop this prestigious international accolade.

She is following in the footsteps of her tutor Lucy Addison who also achieved the highest CIPS mark in the world a decade ago, while she was also studying at Blackburn College.

A delighted Lucy said: “I am absolutely delighted and so proud of her. To outperform all of her peers on an international scale is incredible and a tribute to her dedication and motivation.”

Hayley is in charge of contracts and purchasing for pharmaceutical packaging at Dechra Pharmaceuticals.

The business she works for offers comprehensive range of pharmaceutical manufacturing and packing services.

Hayley has also been awarded a cash prize and a year’s free CIPS membership to celebrate her outstanding achievement.

Hayley said: “Studying whilst working full time is really difficult but this achievement has made it all worthwhile.

“The diploma has really strengthened my subject knowledge and confidence, and gaining the highest mark in the world is just unbelievable!”

Hayley has since completed her final year of the notoriously difficult CIPS Professional Diploma and is awaiting graduation and the prestigious ‘MCIPS’ suffix.

She added: “It feels amazing to have finished and achieved such a fantastic mark.

“The tutors at Blackburn College were fantastic and so supportive. Hopefully further opportunities will arise from this achievement.”

Students from Blackburn College have a 100 per cent pass rate at Level 5 and Level 6 CIPS.

Blackburn College is one of the largest providers of higher education for a college in England and has been providing education and training since 1888.  It works closely with employers from across a wide range of sectors