Just 200 of the prestigious City & Guilds Medals for Excellence are awarded worldwide each year to students, lecturers and City & Guilds staff in recognition of exceptional work. They recognise not only excellent results but also reflect a true journey of progression throughout their qualification.
This year, two representatives of the landbased engineering sector, Luke Hill of Ernest Doe and Matt Davis of Kubota UK, have been awarded Medals of Excellence. Both have gained Level 2 Diplomas in Work-based Landbased Engineering (Groundcare) at the same college, Evesham College (part of the Warwickshire Colleges Group).
The medals were presented at Pershore College on 10 July 2018 during a special workshop on Apprenticeship Standards in Landbased Engineering organised by LE-TEC (Landbased Engineering Training and Education Committee Ltd).
Sally Green, City & Guilds Development Manager said, “It is very rare that two winners of our annual Medals for Excellence should come from the same industry sector, let alone the same college.”
Luke Hill (second left) pictured with Sally Green (City & Guilds) and Mark Eden (Warwickshire Colleges)
Luke Hill joined Ernest Doe, Bedington branch three years ago from school. Barry Prior, Groundscare Service Manager at Bedington said, “This is a thoroughly well-deserved Award. Although quietly spoken, Luke is a popular member of our team, absorbs information very well and has shown a tremendous willingness to learn. He is sure to make a first-rate fully-qualified technician”.
Matt Davis (right) pictured with (l to r) Martin Tyler (Kubota), Sally Green (City & Guilds) and Mike Bywater (Kubota)
Matt Davis originally went to University to study criminology with a view to joining the police. However, during his course he became somewhat unconvinced with his career choice and decided to look at alternative options. His father, Neil, is Service Director at Kubota dealership Lister Wilder Reading and he spent a few months in the dealership before taking up the offer of an apprenticeship in Kubota's Service and Training department.
Commenting, Matt said " I am extremely proud to have won this Award which recognises the hard work I've put into my Level 2 qualification. I've really enjoyed my experience as an apprentice and would like to express my thanks and gratitude to my tutor at Pershore, Darren Layton, for his expert guidance, teaching and passion for landbased service engineering. Being an apprentice has given me the foundation for a long and successful career - and the opportunity to be earning whilst learning."
