The exceptional achievement of Alex Waddacor from Stockport College was celebrated as she was awarded the prestigious bronze BTEC Award for performing arts.
Alex was recognised by teachers and peers at Stockport College partner, Debut Academy of Performing Arts, for her excellence in shows, contests and charity events, including first place in the United Kingdom Alliance competition for Street Dance.
The performer is now treading the boards in London panto after accepting a fully-funded place at Masters Performing Arts College in Essex.
Alex’s hard work and dedication was celebrated at the tenth anniversary of Pearson’s annual BTEC Awards hosted online on 25 June 2020 at 2pm. On winning her BTEC bronze, Alex said:
Oh wow!! This is amazing! I couldn’t have achieved any of this without the help of Debut. Thank you for making helping me to make my dreams come true.”
The 2020 BTEC Awards comprised of 17 categories and was hosted by presenter of the United Stand, YouTube influencer and BTEC Ambassador, Flex, with awards presented by Double Olympic Gold medallist Max Whitlock as well as actress and former BTEC Drama student at The BRIT School, Kellie Shirley. The expert panel of judges made up of Pearson’s senior leadership team, journalists and external experts, carefully considered the nominees before deciding on the winners.?
Campus Principal at Stockport College, James Scott said:
We’re all hugely proud of everything Alex has achieved at Stockport College and that she has been recognised at the BTEC awards. Alex is an exceptional student whose passion and commitment to her studies is truly inspirational. We’re delighted she has secured a place at Masters and wish her every success in the future.”
Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President BTEC and Apprenticeship, said:
This year I’ve been over-whelmed?by the quality of BTEC Award nominations we received and I am delighted to celebrate this year’s winners and the achievements of all learners who will be awarded a BTEC this year. Over the past few weeks and?months, we’ve seen how?the current pandemic has highlighted the critical?role of key workers and individuals?who?are likely to have?followed a vocational?educational?pathway such as BTEC.”
Pearson has overseen BTEC qualifications for over 30 years and during this time the qualifications have equipped millions of learners with the knowledge and practical skills that employers need.
A poll by Pearson found that two-thirds of medium-sized businesses have hired BTEC graduates in the last five years, and nearly a quarter of learners going to university do so with a BTEC. An overwhelming majority of employers and young people want to keep their options open at 16 and gain the blend of academic, practical and transferable skills that are valued by industry and employers, that the BTEC offers.
In response to new careers emerging within industries and?ongoing change, Pearson is continually adapting and innovating its BTEC curriculum and learning?to ensure?it is?relevant for young people and adults?– supporting?progression and?career aspirations throughout lives.
The recently launched BTEC qualification in esports, in partnership with the British Esports Association, is a major step forward in supporting the creation of long-term careers in the growing esports industry both in the UK and internationally. Esports are forecast grow by 20 percent in 2020 alone – reaching a value of $1.1bn and an audience nearly 500m people. In addition, Pearson’s BTEC partnership with Liverpool Football Club, announced earlier this month, will enable learners in international markets to acquire the expertise, skills and knowledge required for careers in the rapidly expanding global sports sector.