The 2011 Proskills Awards Ceremony will be held at Alton Towers on 3 November, highlighting the wider importance of vocational learning. Chris Clowes has been nominated in the Outstanding Learner of the Year category, recognition for his achievements in adapting to his new career

The 2011 Proskills Awards will be held at Alton Towers on 3 November, both celebrating the achievements of people working in the process and manufacturing sector and also highlighting its wider commercial importance. Proskills has received hundreds of entries from a wide range of employers, learners, apprentices and training providers, which have shown just what a positive economic and social impact vocational learning programmes can have.

When he was diagnosed with a hyper-thyroid gland in early 2010 Chris Clowes was worried that he wouldn't be able to make a positive contribution in his work at Ideal Standard International. However, having achieved an NVQ level 2 in ceramic manufacturing and developed his IT skills, Chris has recently been able to return to full-time work. Chris has been seconded to the IDEALWAY project team, which aims to implement lean manufacturing throughout Ideal Standard International.

"Chris specialises in Standard Work Sheets to support our IDEALWAY initiative. He has 15 years of experience in casting - this knowledge is an excellent basis to begin an SWS programme," said Paul Bayley, Chris's training manager. "Chris is currently working to implement Standardisation throughout the Middlewich site and has produced 250 Standard work sheets and one point lessons. This is one of the foundations of lean manufacturing and is key to its success."

While this administrative work is very different from Chris's previous position as a caster, he has managed to adapt quickly to his new role, for which he has been recognised with a nomination in the Outstanding Learner of the Year category at the Proskills Awards. "Chris is a perfect example of a great work ethic and high flexibility - he is prepared to have a go at any new challenge and learn new skills. His determination to get through his illness was an inspiration to all and should be recognised as a great achievement."

The awards ceremony promises to be a hugely enjoyable evening that will highlight the work of both individuals and companies in the process and manufacturing sector, while also offering important networking and sponsorship opportunities.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Proskills Group
Proskills UK Group comprises Proskills UK - the Sector Skills Council for Process and Manufacturing Sector and the Proskills Academy.

Proskills UK is the bridge between employers and Government on skills and training.
Proskills is employer-led by nine key industries; Building Products, Coatings, Extractives, Furniture, Glass, Glazed Ceramics, Paper, Print and Wood, which make a third of the UK manufacturing sector. Proskills UK helps to raise the profile and sets the skills standards and qualifications for the sector and ensures that the skills and funding delivers against the current and future needs of the industries.

As the commercial arm of Proskills UK, National Skills Academy, Materials, Production & Supply is the first step in identifying and accessing the training your business needs to reduce costs and boost productivity.