A packed conference room full of proud friends and family, saw over 50 university education students process to their seats in formal caps and gowns.

The students have all attended Furness College over a number of years to complete a range of qualifications from HNCs to Foundation Degrees, BEng and BSc and BA top-ups.

Anne Attwood gave the welcoming speech which talked about how the students having dared to dream had now achieved and John Woodock MP and Shadow Minister for Young People gave an insightful speech on the importance of a highly educated population to the success of the local area, “the skills you’ve attained will help to make your lives better, but they will also help contribute to your community which will be critically important in the years ahead”. He finished off by saying “We’re all proud of you, but most of all you should feel that sense of pride in yourselves!”

The most inspiring speech of the evening was from the Student Voice section where Foundation Degree Business student, Robert Simpson who is also Director of Cumbria Cricket spoke about his reasons for studying at this level – “I knew I had to get the skills to perform and deliver my current role as director and manager – I want the best for cricket and the highest standards.” It was also a personal challenge, “Personally at 44 years old I wanted to develop myself, to test myself and to make up for the lost time where I didn’t work hard at school – I went to play sport.” And finally one of the biggest reasons was “I wanted my family to be proud of me”. In conclusion Bob summed up; “I’ve proved to myself that it can be done – I can make a difference!” Bob then finished off in style by taking a selfie of himself and those gathered at the event – to the amusement of the audience.

Although over 50 students chose to attend the Furness College Celebration of Excellence awards the total cohort of successes successfully completing at the level across the college were:

171 qualifications awarded

Of those 64 were HNCs in Engineering

51 were Foundation Degrees

8 Certificate or Post Graduate Certificate in Education

48 Honours Degrees in Engineering, Education, Computing and Construction