06 February 2009
BMCs Double Win at the 2008 learndirect Awards
Belfast Metropolitan College are celebrating a double win after winning two awards at the recent learndirect Awards Ceremony 2008 which was hosted by BBC Northern Ireland Presenter, Donna Traynor.
Belfast Met won the learndirect’s Working with Employers Award which recognises learning centres who work with local businesses to support learners.
The College became a provider of learndirect skills and qualifications last year and have already achieved great results. They have worked successfully to deliver online learning through learndirect to a number of large organisations. The Workforce and Economic Development (WED) unit of the College have worked closely with learndirect staff to develop a blended learning programme called PACE which is aimed at delivering ILM management awards and certifications in the workplace.
The PACE programme links learndirect online courses with face to face delivery seminars and the College is currently piloting this approach with two local employers CIC Ltd. and Belfast Health and Social Services Trust and will be working with additional companies this year. The PACE programme is supported through the Connected Project which is funded by the Department for Employment and Learning".
The second award was won by Donna Hyland, the College’s Learning Mentor Coordinator. She scooped the prestigious learndirect Centre Staff Award which recognises staff who go that extra mile to help and support learners.
Donna was recognised for the key role she has played in the integration of learndirect within Belfast Metropolitan College. Her enthusiasm, user-centred approach, commitment and leadership have been instrumental in supporting both staff and learners to recognise the benefits of flexible e-learning through learndirect.
Donna’s engagement with staff has also been outstanding insofar as she designed, implemented and led staff training events to highlight the benefits of learndirect skills and qualifications.
Pictured at the recent learndirect awards ceremony are:
(L-R): Michelle McCaughley (Workforce and Economic Development (WED) - Head of Department), George Dines (Business Development Executive – WED), Oonagh Magee
(E-mentor for the Work Smart Programme), Donna Traynor (BBC Newsline Presenter) and Donna Hyland (BMC Learning Mentor Coordinator).
