LEEDS NEWS

New formula for success

When it comes to Leeds and its success, it can take on many forms. Whether it be the announcement of new jobs, victories on the sports field or revelling in our cultural excellence, we do it all in this city.

At this year’s Leeds Chamber of Commerce annual dinner, we decided to bring together all of glories at a fantastic night at Headingley Stadium.

Gone were the tuxedos and formal speeches and in were the voices of those that make Leeds so special.

We had the pleasure of hearing from Sharon Watson, principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, as well as Sanchez Payne and Sophie Lundgren from Leeds 2023, who were able to talk authoritatively about the city’s cultural excellence.

Later in the evening we listened to the views of Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s Stephen Vaughan and Yaseen Mohammed, as well as Leeds Rhino’s Rob Oates, who related their experiences of running global sporting icons from the city.

What united all of these disparate voices, other than their obvious love of the city, was their understanding of how business underpins everything they do and the role it plays in ensuring their success.

Myself and my Chamber colleagues were bowled over by the warm and enthusiastic reaction to our new format. If anything the evening showed how the Chamber is the stitching that brings all of our institutions together.

Like all cities, Leeds has its share of challenges but with so many positive developments on the horizon, and Leeds 2023 now in full swing, it feels like we are starting a new and exciting chapter for the city – one that will hopefully enhance our presence on the international stage while at the same time bring everyone along for the ride.

Mike Briffett President Leeds Chamber

Phenomenal female student

Staff at Leeds College of Building are elated after an unprecedented flurry of student award successes - with female students leading the way.

Medallists at the SkillBuild UK National Finals 2022 were announced after nearly 80 construction trainees went head-to-head over three days. The finalists underwent a seven-month process of regional heats and intensive training before competing in the national finals at Edinburgh College.

At a special award ceremony presented by Steph McGovern in her Packed Lunch studio, a Leeds College of Building student took gold medal position at the largest UK multi-trade competition for construction trainees and apprentices.

Zara Dupont, a Leeds College of Building Interior Systems/ Dry Lining apprentice at Sparta Systems Ltd, received gold in the Plastering and Drywall Systems category. Zara has already enjoyed an exceptional year after winning the overall Governor’s Award at the College annual BIG award ceremony.

Often dubbed the ‘Skills Olympics’, the competition is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in partnership with WorldSkills UK and offers a chance for trainees to compete in a bid to be crowned winner of their chosen trade.

Zara said:“I wasn’t expecting it, but I was hoping I would do well this year as I thought I did so much better than after entering SkillBuild last year. Seeing my name for gold left me a little speechless and shocked. Having this under my belt will hopefully give me a step ahead in life.”

The SkillBuild UK success came soon after Leeds College of Building student Rebekah Woodend was pronounced BTEC Construction Learner of the Year in Pearson’s 2022 BTEC awards. Rebekah is studying a BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in Construction & the Built Environment (Surveying). She is a mother of two young children, in fulltime employment, and a carer for her partner.

The week prior, a Leeds College of Building Level 6 Civil Engineering Site Management Degree Apprentice employed at BAM Nuttall Ltd was named the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) Apprentice of the Year. Alisa Ahmad completed her Level 5 Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering in June before achieved an EngTECH MICE professional qualification shortly after.