City of Westminster College students were among the guests at the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Education Outreach Programme’s awards ceremony and celebratory event, held at MOD headquarters in Whitehall.
This year 13 students on Foundation Learning, Business Professional and Entry to Employment (Administration) benefited from the MOD’s Education Outreach programme.
The year-long Outreach Programme includes mentoring via email by MOD staff, teambuilding sessions, the chance to tour MOD headquarters, visit mentors and see the challenges and opportunities of working in a large central London workplace. In addition, MOD staff assist students with personal development and confidence building, develop their employability and team working skills and host mock interview sessions.
The awards ceremony and celebration drew London students who have participated in the Programme, and it was also attended by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Sir Bill Jeffrey KCB.
Students Laura Bales, Barbara Sebunya and Amal Sharif took to the podium to speak on behalf of City of Westminster College’s group. This gave them the opportunity to explain how the Outreach Programme had assisted their confidence and skills and thank the MOD and the Head of the Education Outreach Programme Andy Gillman MBE for the opportunity to participate.
City of Westminster College Business and Community Studies Lecturer Cynthia Garnett says: “Our students were privileged to have Andy Gillman MBE working with them. They have gained practical and theoretical knowledge of how they can apply skills gained in their personal lives and progress into the world of work. The MOD Education Outreach programme is designed to support students through their studies and I can confidently say that this year’s group have made remarkable progress.”
Head of the MOD Education Outreach Programme Andy Gillman MBE says: “It was a real delight to support students from City of Westminster College again this year. The College has been one of the core colleges in our programme since it was launched in 2001, and we have seen many students benefit from links with MOD colleagues, both military and civilian, and progress on to higher courses or that first job in the work place.
“This year’s students progressed so much during the year and they were all so welcoming when I visited the College. Seeing them speak from the stage in front of over 130 invited guests was both inspiring and humbling – we wish them all well.”