College student Jade Bingham has won the much coveted European Social Fund (ESF) Competitiveness Young Achiever Award 2010.

The award ceremony, which took place recently in Exeter, recognised excellence in ESF-funded employment and skills activities across the South West.

The ESF Competitiveness Young Achiever Award is given to students who have overcome barriers in order to progress on an ESF programme targeted at young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Jade has been studying on the College’s Education Unlimited programme, which gives disengaged young people the chance to overcome their barriers while developing personal, social and vocational skills. The programme is delivered through the College’s own staff and a range of local partner organisations and has been ESF-funded for several years.

College student, Jade Bingham, comments: “Throughout this programme I have had many personal challenges that I have had to overcome to develop my skills and reach my goals.”

“Having the experience of being a young mum of 18, I realised I wanted to become a midwife, but recognised that I would first need to tackle my numeracy skills. While my two young children were asleep, I studied on my own at night to achieve the necessary numeracy skills I needed to study on a further education course.”

Since joining the Education Unlimited programme, Jade has completed her City and Guilds Level 1 Numeracy and started Level 2. She is currently undertaking voluntary work at a hospital and is due to start her midwifery course this September.

Paul Mitton, Curriculum Manager at City of Bristol College, comments: “This is a prestigious award that is highly competitive and we are delighted that Jade has won. With more than 70 nominations for this award, Jade faced stiff competition and we are thrilled that her efforts have been recognised.”

Jane Shackleton, a tutor from the College’s partner Hedley Hall Training, comments: “Jade has had to overcome many barriers in her life, including homelessness and teenage pregnancy, and is an inspiration to many. She has remarkable maturity for such a young person and has shown exceptional determination to make a better life for herself and her children.”

She continues: “Her chosen career will support many mothers, some of whom will have experienced similar life situations to Jade and will benefit from her life experience.”