We were delighted the High Sheriff of Norfolk, Krishna Sethia was able to attend our annual Awards Evening to congratulate our students for what they have achieved over the last year.
Joining forces with Terry Smith, one of our Trustees, High Sheriff Krishna Sethia presented our students with their certificates, following their unique journey to attain these industry-recognised qualifications. As we gathered with students and their proud families, Jo Pearson, Chair of Open Road, expressed his delight in the year’s achievements “Open Road has enjoyed great success this year and it is so pleasing to see this year’s cohort gain their various levels of certification, real reward for a lot of hard work. This marks not only academic and practical achievements but also serves as a catalyst for self-development and many of our students leave us with an increased level of self-worth and go on to further challenges that they might previously not have attempted. I wish them all well in the next steps of their education or career.”
These hard-earned qualifications will serve as a gateway for our students, offering them pathways to apprenticeships and employment. At Open Road, we provide a modern and well-equipped workshop dedicated to the automotive and construction industries, offering vocational training to young individuals who may have faced difficulties settling into mainstream education.
During this special evening, 27 students were recognised for their achievements. Among them, 15 received an IMI Level 1 Award in Automotive Maintenance, 3 earned an IMI Level 1 Certificate in Automotive Maintenance, 5 were granted a Pearson BTEC Level 1 Award in Construction Skills, and 4 received a Pearson BTEC Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills. In addition, 5 students were presented with a Maths Entry Level 3 Certificate, and 2 proudly accepted their English Level 1 Certificates. Each student received a framed certificate along with a £100 Tesco voucher, made possible through the DWP Household Support Fund.
Open Road has been offering automotive qualifications since our creation in 2009 and construction qualifications since 2019, but our students gain much more than just qualifications during their time with us. One student remarked, “Attending Open Road has made me more independent, and I have discovered that I can achieve so much more. I am now considering an apprenticeship and aspire to have a career in carpentry.” In addition to vocational training, Open Road partners with the College of West Anglia to provide English and maths tuition. This support helps students who have struggled in mainstream education to build on their achievements and enter the workforce fully equipped for success.
The heart of our operations lies in our modern and well-equipped automotive industries workshop, where hands-on learning thrives.
Martin Slater, Managing Director of Open Road, highlighted the significance of the event, “The Annual Awards evening is a very important part of what we do at Open Road. It shows that hard work and commitment will be rewarded and gives our students and their families the opportunity to celebrate success and recognise what has been achieved.”
Our annual awards evening, in its current format since 2021, provides students with the opportunity to invite their families to share in the celebration of their achievements. It is a special occasion that brings our Open Road community together in the spirit of success and growth.
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