City & Guilds rolled out the red carpet for this year's Lion Awards, attended by high-profile speakers Steve Cram MBE and Ed Balls MP, to celebrate the achievements of exceptional students and lecturers from around the country.

Dubbed the skills Oscars, eight Lion Awards were presented to students on April 16 at the Brewery in the heart of the City of London.

The Lion Awards are the culmination of the 2006-2007 Medals for Excellence programme, given to people who went above and beyond in their achievements this year and who are an inspiration to others.

With 109 out of this year's 117 medallists attending, many of whom had brought their own guests and nominators, City & Guilds Director-General Chris Humphries expressed  his admiration for the finalists: 'We should all be a bit awe-struck by the achievements of these medallists.

We issued nearly 1.5 million certificates to learners last year - 1,487,176 if you want to be exact and only 90 of those learners have been awarded medals. Then, we only give Lion Awards to eight of our medallists.

So, if my mental arithmetic serves me well, only 0.0005% of all the eligible learners go on to win a Lion Award. And all eight of you are in this room right now. I'm feeling pretty honoured to be in such exceptional company.'

Commenting after the event, Head of Corporate Affairs, Andrew Sich, said: 'I would like to congratulate all of this year's winners, who not only excel in their chosen fields, but also use their skills to give back to their communities and are an inspiration to others.'

Recognising achievement is important, so keep nominating those outstanding learners, lecturer/trainers and verifiers. The deadline for the next round of Medals for Excellence nominations is 27 July 2007.

Candidates must be registered with City & Guilds, the nomination approved by an external verifier and five pieces of supporting evidence submitted. If you would like any further information, please contact the Corporate Affairs department.

This year's winners are:

• Donna Fields - Community Supporter of the Year
  A Health and social Care student from Rotherham, a busy mum and full-time community facilitator at Oaks Day Centre.
  
• Ronald Barr - Lifelong Learner of the Year
  Seventy year-old retired pensioner Ronald Barr believes studying for his many City & Guilds qualifications has kept him mentally and physically fit.
  
• Nick Gutfreund - Small Business Learner of the Year
  Forty five year-old Nick Gutfreund gave up a lucrative business career to concentrate on fine woodwork and bespoke furniture production.
  
• David Stewart - Employee Learner of the Year
  David a, Health and Social Care student from Belfast, obtained a Level 2 NVQ in Health Sociai Care at The Beeches Management Centre.
  
• Stephen Dempsey - FE Sector Learner of the Year
  Stephen, who is profoundly deaf, works as a plasterer and is slowly building up his portfolio so he can start his own business.
  
• Aisha Ventura - Creative Craftsperson of the Year
  The 29 year old obtained a Level 3 Diploma in Design And Craft (Fashion) at Huddersfield Technical College in Yorkshire.
  
• Spencer Hampton - Outstanding Achiever of the Year
  Flying the flag for Birmingham was 37 year-old Spencer, a support nurse for South Birmingham Primary CareTrust.
  
• Petra McNulty - Innovator of the Year
  Petra McNulty's creative designs have taken hat-making to a new level by combining it with aspects of another artistic field, sculpture.

Donna Fields - Community Supporter of the Year

Donna Fields, a Health and social Care student from Rotherham, is a busy mum and full-time community facilitator at Oaks Day Centre.

She spends her spare time supporting adults with learning disabilities in a theatre group and his helping older citizens access local shopping facilities in her local area - as well as studying.

Donna obtained a level 3 NVQ in Heaith and Sociai Care (Adults) at the Rotherham Accredited Assessment Centre.

'My qualification has helped me by giving me confidence in my job and my self confidence has been boosted, giving me the drive to achieve even more.'

Ronald Barr - Lifelong Learner of the Year

Seventy year-old retired pensioner Ronald Barr believes studying for his many City & Guilds qualifications has kept him mentally and physically fit.

Despite being forced to miss six weeks of his Level 3 Diploma in Woodcarving at South Trafford Coiiege when he underwent an operation for a cataract, Ronald still managed to complete the course on time. in fact, this was his sixth qualification since 1999.

He said he feels these qualifications have improved the quaiity of his life in retirement as he has had the chance to pursue his hobbies.

'To say I am delighted is a bit of an understatement. I had to read the letter of confirmation quite a few times before the news seemed real.'

Nick Gutfreund - Small Business Learner of the Year

Forty five year-old Nick Gutfreund gave up a lucrative business career to concentrate on fine woodwork and bespoke furniture production, and he has found great satisfaction in this new creative outlet.

Nick obtained his Fine Woodwork Diploma at Building Crafts College in London and is a sterling example of the entrepreneurial drive and great dedication that the Lion Awards embody.

His determination to succeed was so great that he completed his course in record time while still contributing to a number of projects for the enhancement of his college.

'When you are trying to build a reputation, qualifications and testimonials are important to new clients. City & Guilds is recognised worldwide and therefore gives this qualification substantial credibility.'

David Stewart - Employee Learner of the Year

David Stewart, a 48 year-old Heaith and Social Care student from Belfast, obtained a Level 2 NVQ in Health Sociai Care at The Beeches Management Centre in Belfast. David works for Age Concern as a support worker and completed his NVQ in just nine months.

David has demonstrated commitment to every aspect of his job' including keeping up to date with government legislation and organisational policies, but he never forgets that the people in his care are individuals with their own needs and concerns.

'I feel humbled by all those who work in the caring environment and quietly get on with it.'

Stephen Dempsy - FE Sector Learner of the Year

Stephen Dempsey, 32, a construction student from from Swindon, was awarded the FE Sector Learner of the Year prize. Stephen, who is profoundly deaf, works as a plasterer and is slowly building up his portfolio so he can start his own business.

He obtained his City & Guilds CiTB Advanced Construction Award from Highbury College in Portsmouth. Studying plastering meant that Stephen has had to develop sign language for the jargon used in the plastering trade. Stephen plans to study book keeping and business management to ensure he is equipped to run his own business.

'My teacher was a brilliant mentor and had a good awareness of my needs. I hope the education system can learn from Portsmouth to help other students.'

Aisha Ventura - Creative Craftsperson of the Year

Aisha Ventura, a gifted Design and Craft student from Huddersfield Technical College, won the Creative Craftsperson of the year. The 29 year old obtained a Level 3 Diploma in Design And Craft (Fashion) at Huddersfield Technical College in Yorkshire.

She excelled in the field of textiles and is an inspiration to fellow mature students returning to education after her first career as a hairdresser was cut short. She now teaches design to others at the college.

'Making the decision to go back to college as a mature student was the best thing I have ever done.'

Spencer Hampton - Outstanding Achiever of the Year

Flying the flag for Birmingham was 37 year-old Spencer Hampton, a support nurse for South Birmingham Primary Care Trust. Spencer left schooi without any formal qualifications and was envious of those with degrees or other formal recognition for their skills.

As fate would have it, he was made redundant from MG Rover in 2005 and faced the daunting prospect of retraining as an adult for an entirely new career in Social Care, while juggling the responsibilities of being a full-time parent to two teenage children.

Spencer obtained his Level 3 NVQ in Heaith and Social Care (Adults) at Birmingham Carers Assessment Centre and his achievements have been recentiy recognised by the Worshipful Company of Tallow Chanders.

'I left school with no qualifications and never thought about it again until I was made redundant. I could not believe how much I enjoyed building my portfolio.'

Petra McNulty - Innovator of the Year

Petra McNulty's creative designs have taken hat-making to a new level by combining it with aspects of another artistic field, sculpture. She obtained her Level 3 Certificate in Millinery at Huddersfield Technical College.

Petra has recently launched her own label, Petra - Bespoke Milliner, and has also gained qualifications in interior design and sculpture.

'Without the qualification I would and never have had the skills to make hats. This award has given me confidence to continue.'