One Malawian student was awarded with an International Medal for Excellence at the 2011 awarding ceremony. This prestigious City & Guilds ceremony was held at a gala dinner on the 26th May 2011 at the Protea Hotel, Ryalls.

The outstanding individual recognised on the night was:

• John Ellard - Level 5 IVQ Advanced Technician Diploma in Engineering (Malawi Polytechnic Continuing Education)

The City & Guilds’ International Medals for Excellence programme recognises and rewards exceptional people whose work makes them really stand out. The recipients are candidates who have completed their International Vocational Qualification (IVQ), comprising both theory and practical assessment, at a City & Guilds approved centre outside the United Kingdom or Ireland. Only one medal is available for each of the eligible IVQs.

Most importantly, medal winners are only sought from the complexes for which distinctions have been awarded during the current competition period (i.e. if no candidates have achieved distinctions during the period, medals will not be awarded for that IVQ). The candidate scoring the highest mark in a written component will be nominated as the medal winner.

Medal winners receive a City & Guilds Medal for Excellence and a certificate. The centre which the candidate attends also receives a certificate acknowledging the award.

‘The Medals for Excellence programme aims to embody our values in striving for excellence and rewarding success. Most of all, we hope the skills developed through City & Guilds qualifications equip our students to fulfil their true potential,’ says Lindsay Samuel, Business Development Manager.

International Lion Award

The International Lion Award is presented annually and is the culmination of City & Guilds’ Medals for Excellence programme, which rewards educational professionals and students with exceptional standards.

Centres with medal winners were invited to nominate their medal winners for consideration for the Lion Award under one or more of the following categories:

• a candidate who has taken the skills learned through a City & Guilds qualification to start their own business
• a candidate who takes advantage of learning opportunities at every turn and often motivates others to learn also
• a candidate who is good at spotting opportunities and recognising potential, who puts all their energy into new projects, motivates others, and who can come through the challenge of turning an idea into reality
• a candidate who has overcome all obstacles to make their ambition a reality and has achieved a huge amount against the odds.

All International Medals for Excellence winners may be nominated for the International Lion Award which recognises individuals who apply their skills to accomplish outstanding achievements or have overcome particular adversity to succeed. In 2011 Africa will be represented by Lazya le Roux from the National Institute of the deaf (South Africa).

‘The Lion Awards celebrate the best of the best and set the benchmark of excellence for learners and lecturers to aspire to’ said Chris Jones, Director-General of City & Guilds.

The International Lion Award will be announced in May at a prestigious and glamorous event in London and the winner will receive an all expenses paid trip to attend the ceremony with a guest, where they will be presented with their International Lion Award. Leading figures from industry and education attend the event to celebrate exceptional learners, teachers, external verifiers and trainers.

‘The Lion Awards ceremony is hugely significant as it highlights the inspirational efforts made by those who have gained a City & Guilds certificate’ Andrew Sich, Head of Corporate Affairs.

The current design of the gold-plated City & Guilds Medal for Excellence dates from 1880. The City & Guilds Award Seal was designed by Charles John Shoppe FRIBA, who represented one of the Founding Members on City & Guilds Council. At the centre is the Coat of Arms of the Corporation of the City of London, surrounded by the Coats of Arms of the 16 Livery Companies who were the original founders of City & Guilds.

The other side of the medal has changed slightly since 1880. It now carries the medal winner’s name, their qualification and the year.

About City & Guilds

City & Guilds is the UK’s leading provider of vocational qualifications, offering over 500 awards across a wide range of industries, and progressing from entry level to the highest levels of professional achievement. With over 8500 centres in 100 countries, City & Guilds is recognised by employers worldwide for providing qualifications that offer proof of the skills they need to get the job done.

The South African regional office directly looks after Southern and Central African countries. The office contact details are as follows:

Johannesburg Regional Office

City and Guilds Johannesburg Regional Office

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