OCN Awards Showcase Learners’ Achievements
Carl Frampton MBE was the special guest at the OPEN COLLEGE NETWORK NI (OCN NI) Learning Endeavour Awards 2022 prize-giving at Titanic Hotel, hosted by Denise Watson, where he handed out awards and bursaries to young people and organisations who had been highly commended and won categories at the recent learning awards.
Martin Flynn, CEO, OCN NI, said: “The main awards took place virtually in April but now that the Covid rules have changed, we couldn’t wait to get everyone in a room and show our appreciation of their efforts in person.
“The learners we honoured have shown real grit and determination in getting their OCN qualifications despite the challenging times we all find ourselves in. Our highly commended recipients and winners were given their awards and bursary cheques by boxing legend, Carl Frampton, who is the perfect role model for what can be achieved by hard work.”
The Third Sector Learner of the Year winner was Heaven Beltse from Start360 and taking home the Schools Learner of the Year award was Caolan O'Kane, St Patrick’s College, Maghera, Co. Derry~Londonderry, the Provider of The Year category winner was Connected Health in Co Antrim and the Inspiring Tutor/Teacher of the Year top spot went to George Dallas, Limavady High School, Co Derry~Londonderry.
The Health & Well-being Learner of the Year went to Naomi Wright of Sally Gardens in west Belfast, Third Sector Learner of the Year went to Heaven Beltse, Start360, Co Antrim and South Eastern Regional College won the Advancing Learning Through Innovation category.
Carl Frampton MBE, former boxer, said: “There is no doubt that the young people and organisations deserved their time to shine, and I would like to say very well done to everyone who achieved highly commended status or who won their categories. It was a genuine pleasure to meet everyone and hear about their education journeys and I wish everyone the best for the future.”
One final award, the Hilary Sloan MBE Learning Endeavour Award, in memory of former OCN NI Chair who was a powerful advocate of life-long learning, was announced on the day, explained Martin Flynn.
Martin said: “The Hilary Sloan MBE Learning Endeavour Award winner for 2022 is, Naomi Wright of Sally Gardens in west Belfast, who will receive an additional £1,000 learning bursary. Massive congratulations to Naomi and all of our shortlisted finalists and winners”, concluded Martin.
Click the video below to catch up on all the highlights from the 2022 Awards event.
Our Winners
Health & Wellbeing Learner of the Year
Naomi Wright, Sally Gardens
Winner
Schools Learner of the Year
Caolan O'Kane, St Patrick's College
Winner
Third Sector Learner of the Year
Heaven Beltse, Start360
Winner
Advancing Learning Through Innovation
South Eastern Regional College
Winner
Further Education Learner of the Year
Anas Alrefai, Belfast Met
Winner
Inspiring Tutor/Teacher of the Year
George Dallas, Limavady High School
Winner
Provider of the Year
Connected Health
Winner
Highly Commended
Health & Wellbeing Learner of the Year
Heaven Beltse, Start360
Highly Commended
Health & Wellbeing Learner of the Year
Joanna Bower, Action Mental Health
Highly Commended
Health & Wellbeing Learner of the Year
Megan Brannigan, Sally Gardens
Highly Commended
Schools Learner of the Year
Aimee Hughes, St Catherine's College
Highly Commended
Schools Learner of the Year
Courtney Howard, Lakewood School
Highly Commended
Schools Learner of the Year
Daniele Linkeviciute, St Patrick's College
Highly Commended
Third Sector Learner of the Year
Ciara Hoey, Oh Yeah Centre
Highly Commended
Third Sector Learner of the Year
Geordie Brown, Advantage NI
Highly Commended
Third Sector Learner of the Year
Joanna Bower, Action Mental Health
Highly Commended
Third Sector Learner of the Year
Carmel Gallagher, The Safe Hands Training Centre
Highly Commended
Advancing Learning Through Innovation
Southern Regional College
Highly Commended
Advancing Learning Through Innovation
Supporting Communities
Highly Commended
Further Education Learner of the Year
Ella Walsh, People 1st
Highly Commended
Further Education Learner of the Year
Rachel Maginn, SERC
Highly Commended
Further Education Learner of the Year
Daniela Geanta, Springvale
Highly Commended
Inspiring Tutor/Teacher of the Year
Craig Wilson, Oasis
Highly Commended
Inspiring Tutor/Teacher of the Year
Michael Bradley , Belfast Met
Highly Commended
Inspiring Tutor/Teacher of the Year
Pauline McDiarmid, NRC
Highly Commended
Provider of the Year
Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum
Highly Commended
Provider of the Year
LifeDock Training
Highly Commended
Provider of the Year
Oh Yeah Music Centre
Highly Commended
