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Find out more... Apply nowAnnual Student Awards Winners 2011: Act of Courage Award (recognising the Olympic / Paralympic value of Courage)
Posted 14th February
Mature student Michael shed a life of gangs and petty crime to turn his life around and become a qualified chef. When he was young, school and college didn’t feature as important in a culture of gang membership, crime and ultimately prison. Consequently, he left school with no formal qualifications and no real understanding of the self-discipline needed to achieve.
At the age of 43, Michael joined the London City Hospitality Centre at HCC. From an educational background of little achievement, he succeeded on the NVQ Level 1 in Food Preparation and Cooking in under six months. He progressed straight onto the Level 2 which he achieved and then went on to successfully complete the Level 3 course.
Michael aims to open a restaurant, employing local people like himself and supporting them in their training. His learning and qualifications have directly impacted on his life and he will continue to be an excellent role model to his community – and current and future students.
It took a great inner strength to pull away from the negative life he was engulfed in for so long and become the great success he is today; he is a well deserved winner of this Act of Courage Award.
