News Article
A NEPA (North East Productivity Alliance) engineer has been recognised as a life long learner after winning a National Training Award.
Keith Copeland, the Sunderland man “addicted to learning” was notified of the award by former World sprint hurdles champion Colin Jackson at the regional ceremony at the Hilton Hotel, NewcastleGateshead.
Keith, expecting to receive a Regional Training Award, was notified via a golden envelope of his success at the superior national level which included an invitation to the prestigious National UK Awards in London, after demonstrating exceptional work achievements made through training and development.
Keith, who works as a quality engineer for Nissan and is seconded to One North East as a NEPA engineer to assist regional companies to improve their manufacturing practices, faced the loss of his own job in the 1980s when shipyards began to close only 12 months after completing an apprenticeship.
His determination to remain upbeat about his future and learn new skills and technological advancements have led him to gain a string of City and Guilds qualifications, a Certificate and Diploma in Supervisory Management, a First Class Honours Degree in IT, an MSC with Distinction in Engineering Management and Keith is also due to complete his PhD this winter.
Keith said: “To date I have assisted 750 UK companies, providing training for over 2,700 people in many areas of continuous and productivity improvement.
“I have no doubt that I have received this award on the basis of my studies and research at university since 1994, through the Engineering Project and work with NEPA improving productivity of companies in the North East.”
“My current role with NEPA has also allowed me to work with schools and universities promoting manufacturing and encouraging student involvement in engineering, which supports my determination to keep manufacturing in the UK through sharing skills and experience.
“I am absolutely delighted and proud to have received this award. It will hopefully motivate the many people I train and work with to go on to better things through their own learning journey. Nothing is impossible if people are willing to just give it a try.”
In his spare time, Keith has also found time for charity work, where he has raised over £200,000 for local charities through running fund-raising nights as well as volunteering with a local scout group.
Dr Colin Herron, NEPA Best Practice Manager, said: “The team at One North East would like to congratulate Keith on gaining this award. Keith has a great story to tell about commitment, pride, personal growth, achievement and sheer hard work.
“Keith has worked hard throughout his time with NEPA and has established himself as an integral part of the team even though he is still an employee of Nissan.
“His dedication to work and research has meant that he has directly benefited companies who usually would not have been able to access this level of support and has raised the profile of the region by presenting his work at a national level. We wish him well in completing the final stages of his PhD.”
The National Training Awards are run by UK Skills, an independent not-for-profit organisation which champions skills and learning for work through competitions and awards, and are supported by the Government’s Department for Education and Skills.
The Awards are celebrated at three levels - Highly Commended, Regional Training Award and National Training Award, the highest level which Keith received through his exceptional work achievements.
The official presentation of the Award will take place at the UK National Training Awards Ceremony on Thursday 13 December at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
Ends
For more information please contact: Sarah Thompson, press office, One North East, on Tel: 0191 229 6682/ 07917 211547, or email sarah.thompson@onenortheast.co.uk.
« Back to list