Where are they now? Catching up with last year’s BTEC Award winners
What are the BTEC Awards?
The annual BTEC Awards – now in its 12th year – recognises and celebrates the achievements and dedication of BTEC learners, educators, and providers from all around the globe.
The awards highlight the BTEC qualification, providing evidence that it is an essential route to build skills and help young people achieve a fulfilling and rewarding career. At its heart, the awards are about celebrating amazing successes and sharing inspiring stories
The event, which takes place at Westminster Hall in London, went online in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. This year the event will be held in person again in June. We caught up with some of our 2021 BTEC Awards winners to see what they have been doing since they picked up their prestigious award.
Celebrating our winner's progression
One BTEC learner who shone in 2021 was Lily Carcaterra. Lily won our Business and Enterprise Learner of the Year and Young Learner of the Year. ‘Since I won my BTEC Awards, I have been studying BSc Psychology and Business at Aston University in Birmingham,’ says Lily. ‘I have recently begun term 2 of my first year, and I am already excited to enter my second year as this will be the year that I look to secure a work placement for the third year! I am eager to secure a placement, but I am open to exploring the wide range of opportunities that Birmingham has to offer.’
Kira Newey was our Land Based Learner of the Year in 2021. On completion of her HND (Higher National Diploma), Kira secured a job teaching Agriculture within NPTC Group and a place on a master's programme with Aberystwyth University. Kira also farms alongside her parents, keeping award-winning pedigree Clun Forest sheep.
Kira brings us up to date; ‘Since winning the award, I have continued my role as an Agricultural Lecturer at NPTC Group of Colleges, Newtown Campus. I have also continued my studies at Aberystwyth University studying for a master's in Bio-Innovation'. We asked Kira what the best thing about winning the award was for her; ‘Personally, the best part of winning the BTEC award for me was to recognise my hard work as well as recognizing the college and my lecturer's dedication in running and supporting students on the Agriculture BTEC course.’
The very talented Rowan Scourfield won our Music Learner of the Year. Rowan has stayed on at The Priory School in Hitchin for the 6th form and is studying BTEC Music Performance, BTEC Music Technology, History A-Level and Core Maths. He has also been doing a few gigs performing his songs including a spot at Kaya festival last summer and recording some new songs.
BTEC Awards are not just limited to individual learners – colleges and schools who teach BTEC are also celebrated. Abingdon and Witney College were last year’s College of the Year winners. A spokesperson for the college said, ‘At Abingdon and Witney, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality learning experiences for our students. Winning the BTEC College of the Year award is a clear acknowledgment of the quality of our provision. Staff and students are proud of their college and highly value the recognition that this award brings.’
Support our vocational stars in 2022
It is fantastic to see our learner award winners thriving and continuing their education whilst continuing to gain the real-world skills that will help them build their careers. You can find out more about the BTEC Awards 2022 here and support our vocational stars in 2022 by turning in to our BTEC Awards 2022 live stream on June 23rd.
Every year, Pearson BTEC sees incredible nominations and we cannot wait to welcome our 2022 winners and share their stories this year!