Prime Highlights
- NWRC staff members Carol Thompson and Annette O’Doherty received the lifetime contribution award at the Further Education Excellence Awards, recognising 40 and 32 years of service respectively.
- NWRC students Aoibheann Carlin and Cara Doherty won awards in the Higher-Level Apprenticeship and Higher Education categories, with both recognised for outstanding dedication and academic performance.
Key Facts
- The Further Education Excellence Awards brought together Northern Ireland’s six further education colleges, honouring almost 50 students across categories from introductory learning to higher education and lifelong learning.
- The ceremony was held at the Glenavon Hotel and opened by Janis Scallon, Director of Further Education at the Department for the Economy.
Background
North West Regional College staff and students claimed multiple awards at the Further Education Excellence Awards, with two long-serving staff members taking home the top honour for lifetime contributions to further education in Northern Ireland.
Carol Thompson, Curriculum Manager for Early Years, and Annette O’Doherty, Training Support Officer, both received the award recognising exceptional lifetime service to further education.
Thompson has spent 40 years in her role at the Derry-based college, while O’Doherty has supported the institution for 32 years. The annual ceremony brought together Northern Ireland’s six further education colleges to celebrate student and staff achievement across a wide range of learning pathways.
Almost 50 students were recognised on the night at the Glenavon Hotel, with categories spanning introductory learning, apprenticeships, higher education and lifelong learning.
Among the student winners, Aoibheann Carlin received the FE Excellence Award in the Higher-Level Apprenticeship Programme for her work in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Teaching staff described her as a trailblazer who sets the benchmark for apprentices, pointing to her resilience, professionalism and work ethic throughout her studies.
Cara Doherty picked up the FE Excellence in Higher Education Award for her performance on the Ulster University Foundation Degree in Medical and Applied Science. Staff noted her dedication as an example of what students can achieve and said her journey is already inspiring other women to pursue careers in STEM.
Kate Grant, a model and advocate from Cookstown who made history in 2018 as the first model with Down’s syndrome to win an international beauty title, welcomed guests on the evening.
Director of Further Education at the Department for the Economy, Janis Scallon, opened the ceremony and said further education colleges equip people with the skills needed to support business growth and build a more inclusive and productive economy.
