College principals, WorldSkills competitors and apprenticeship providers are among those to be recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Amanda Melton, principal of Nelson and Colne College and director of the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership, will receive a CBE for services to further education. Ms Melton is also a commissioner of the college of the future commission.
Amanda Melton told Tes that she was “thrilled”. She said: “I’ve had the complete privilege to work in FE colleges for 26 years and counting. I can’t think of a sector which makes a greater difference for people, place and skills.
“I owe this honour directly to the roles I’ve had to shout out for FE, mostly importantly the College of the Future Commission. My biggest fan, my lovely Dad, died three years ago. He’d have been completely blown away that his little girl was honoured in this way.
“Thanks to my family and colleagues at Nelson and Colne College Group for giving me the opportunity to get involved in highlighting our transformational sector as part of a wider education ecosystem.”
Karen Spencer, principal of Harlow College, Debra Gray, principal at the Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education, will both receive an MBE for services to Further Education. Mandie Stravino, chief executive at Derby College, will receive an OBE.
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We are extremely proud’
Also among those who will receive MBEs are two WorldSkills 2019 medalists: Hayden Jakes, who won gold for aircraft maintenance and Rebecca West, who won gold for beauty therapy.
Conor McKevitt, who won silver for car painting, and Phoebe McLaxy, who won bronze for hairdressing. will both receive BEMs.
Jakes’ WorldSkills training manager Martin Yates will also receive an MBE for services to the WorldSkills competition.
Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, chief executive of WorldSkills UK, said: “It is fantastic to see the members of Team UK and the training team from WorldSkills Kazan 2019 recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
“Their success on the world stage, in front of a global audience, sent a strong message that we are developing excellence in skills so that the UK is seen as a world-class place to invest, do business and create jobs. We are extremely proud of all their achievements and we look forward to continuing working with them, using their inspirational stories and know-how to tackle vocational snobbery head-on so more young people and their parents see apprenticeships and technical education as a prestigious route to success in work and life.”
Services to apprenticeships and technical education
Also on the list from the world of further education is Tanjia Smith, the technical director at Gradon Architecture, who will receive an OBE for services to apprenticeships and technical education. Nigel Fenn, senior HR manager at Pennon Group Plc, will receive an MBE for services to apprenticeships and technical education.
Alison Cresswell, head of participation and education services at Stockport Borough Council, will receive an MBE for services to education, training and apprenticeships and Clair Ann Davies, principal of the Appletree Treatment Centre, will receive an MBE for services to apprenticeships and traumatised children.