The Titan Award finalists have been announced for 2023 – and three of the four nominees for Further Education/Higher Education Student of the Year are from the Sandwell Family of Colleges!
– Grace Malam is a Dental Nursing Apprentice
– Rebecca Holden is a Health & Social Care Apprentice
– Zainab Mallah is an A Level Science student at Cadbury Sixth Form College
Sandwell College’s Automotive lecturer Dominic Whelan is in the running for FE/HE Teacher of the Year. Dominic recently won the Pearson National Teaching Silver Award.
And our Head of Apprenticeships Lisa Edwards is a finalist for the ultimate accolade Leader of the Year.
This is the second year running Sandwell College has been successful in the Titan Award nominations. Last year student Sangeya Bailey won FE/HE Student of the Year.
So let’s hear why our outstanding students were nominated by staff for the 2023 awards:
Despite Grace’s difficult start to her Dental Nursing Apprenticeship, with post-Covid regulations affecting her training in a small dental practice, she applied herself to her academic work with great determination and enthusiasm. Grace then made the brave decision to change employer and take a position in a much larger practice. This move meant Grace had to not only learn and adapt to the many different working styles of all the dentists within the practice, but she also had to learn the private dental options available. Grace took on this challenge with her usual motivated approach and continued to stay ahead of target with her apprenticeship – completing her initial portfolio of evidence within a year.
Rebecca was already working as a receptionist in a GP surgery before she started her apprenticeship, and was always fascinated by the clinical aspect. She wanted to gain experience and a qualification which is why she found the apprenticeship route the best for her. Rebecca now has her own clinics in the surgery where she conducts patient observations, diabetic foot checks and blood sugar level checks. She works across three surgeries and has been able to implement her new skills. Rebecca is very motivated to complete her Trainee Nurse Associate programme in line with her lifelong career goal of becoming a Nurse.
Zainab is a conscientious, kind-hearted, caring student who holds a real maturity beyond her years and always treats both staff and students with an incredible amount of respect and kindness. Zainab is very well liked and willingly gets involved in group discussions and speaks out appropriately if she has any concerns. She willingly supports those around her and has volunteered for open days as a student tour guide, supported fundraisers and petitions and has been involved with external companies such as SafeUp. She also started her own Medicine and Healthcare Society and always supports her peers with genuine care and enthusiasm.
Assistant Director of External Engagement, Jessica Lewis, said: “It’s truly fantastic to see so many of our staff and students being showcased across our sites. Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate. We were delighted to win last year and wish our staff and students all the very best with their awards this year.”
The winners will be announced at the upcoming Titan Awards & Charity Dinner in July at Aston University, and each will receive a trophy, framed certificate and Amazon gift voucher.
