Bridge 2 Business Educator Awards 2020 Winners

The winners for our Bridge 2 Business Educator Awards 2020 have been revealed!

Every year Bridge 2 Business celebrates the hard-working and enterprising efforts of students, lecturers, and colleges across our delivery colleges!

Our programme which engages with over 10,000 students per year, is delivered across 9 colleges across Scotland - our aim is to inspire, connect, and support students into and through enterprise!

Last year the Bridge 2 Business Educator Award finalists were welcomed to our Festival Of Youth Enterprise at Edinburgh's Corn Exchange! However, due to COVID19 we held our very first virtual awards last night.

We had almost 500 people attending our virtual event from all over Scotland, and further afield.

Last night's Festival Of Youth Enterprise was a celebration event for our Company Programme, Bridge 2 Business Programme, and Team Programme Award. The event was hosted by Graeme Easton - the voice of Hampden Park. The event also had a special message from the Deputy First Minister Of Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills - Mr. John Swinney MSP, along with some other special guests and inspiring speakers making an appearance.

Thank you to our judges who had the hard decision of making the decisions for this years Bridge 2 Business Educator Awards. Many thanks to Bruce Walker - Founder Of Future X, Elaine Calderwood - Account Manager at Scottish Enterprise and Claire Halligan - Founder Of Pop Up Jewellery Limited, a previous recipient of Local Hero Of The Year Award.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners!

Winners & Finalists

Bridge 2 Business Innovation Award

This brand new award for 2020 recognises a project or start-up enterprise that has had a successful innovative approach towards the development of a product or service. The judges were looking for examples of ideas, and a strong understanding of innovation to create either; a solution to a problem, a commercial opportunity, or the development of a new process.

• Winner - David Maitland - Edinburgh College
• Anya Rae - Ayrshire College
• Waqar Mehmood - Edinburgh College

Bridge 2 Business Social Enterprise Team

This award is for an innovative team of students that have created a Social Enterprise project or activity. The judges were looking for the most innovative led-student team that can demonstrate a charitable or social enterprise focused activity as part of a college group/project.

• Winner - New College Lanarkshire
• David Maitland - Edinburgh College

Local Hero Of The Year Award

This accolade will go to the most inspirational role model that has shown a commitment to supporting FE College Students that have engaged in the Bridge 2 Business Programme to develop their business idea.

• Winner - Lucy Thomson - Ayrshire College
• Highly Commended - Ross Brand - New College Lanarkshire

FE College Enterprise Educator of the Year Award

This award will go to a FE College Lecturer/Employee who is leading the way in enterprise education within their institution. They may be promoting business and enterprise skills development during lessons, hosting enterprising workshops and events, or creating enterprise projects and competitions.

• Winner - Audrey Makrell - New College Lanarkshire
• Elaine Campbell - West Lothian College
• Elaine Watson - Ayrshire College

Enterprising Student of the Year Award

This award will go to the FE College Student who has shown the most enterprising spirit and creative approach. The judges were looking for examples of how a combination of college study and business skills development has led to either a start-up enterprise, sustainable employment, or FE / HE progression.

• Winner - Alistair Lee - City Of Glasgow College
• David Maitland - Edinburgh College
• Fi Thorburn - Ayrshire College
• Michael Allan - West Lothian College
• Kirsty Campbell - Ayrshire College

Enterprising FE College of the Year Award

This award will go to the college that is leading the way in enterprise within Further Education throughout Scotland. The judges were looking for examples of enterprising team projects and initiatives that have developed the business skills and knowledge, of both students and lecturers alike.

• Winner - Ayrshire College
• Highly Commended - New College Lanarkshire

Watch the full Festival Of Youth 2020 hereVideo Link: https://www.youtu.be/vYLFF0PLaoc