Jayne scoops prestigious award over her work with Cornerstone

A NORTH-EAST woman has scooped a prestigious award for her dedication in helping her colleagues gain qualifications.

Jayne Wood, of High Street in New Pitsligo, won the 2009 Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Star Award for lifelong learning in recognition of her hard work at Cornerstone Community Care.

The charity is a leading provider of services for people with disabilities and other support needs.

It has also been an SQA-approved centre since 1995. It offers staff training for Scottish Vocational Qualifications, such as health and social care, children and young people, and leadership and management in care. Last year 97 staff completed SVQs.

Mrs Wood, who is Cornerstone’s SVQ manager, has built up a team of assessors from Maud, Strichen and Stuartfield.

They have now been recognised for their achievements by beating competition from colleges in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Mrs Wood said: “It’s brilliant. Being able to qualify our own staff up to Scottish Social Council requirements is just a sideline and to be recognised for it is just fantastic.

“It is a brilliant achievement as we are a small group and we were up against big guns and we came out top.”

Cornerstone chief executive Edel Harris said: “I’m delighted our approved centre has won the award. We have invested considerably in building a team of qualified assessors and verifiers. With a team of eight, we deliver and support candidates working at all levels in the organisation through their SVQs to ensure Cornerstone continues to provide high-quality services to some of the most vulnerable people in the community.”

“We realise that standards, commitment and professionalism need to be evident in all levels of the workforce, and our SVQ qualifications are now integral and help enable the people we support to enjoy a valued life.”