Champions Of Learning Winner Leads By Example

Estate agent Darren Diggins from Lewis Knight has been awarded the prestigious honour of Workplace Learning champion at the Champions of Learning awards 2006.

 

The awards, which are in their fifth year, are run by BBC Essex and the Learning and Skills Council Essex and recognise students young and old and those who teach and inspire them.

 

Karen, Seetec's NVQ Training Manager, nominated Darren for his award because of his inspiration and encouragement to others to continue with their studies. Darren actively encourages all his staff to train for the Apprenticeship scheme for Sale of Residential Property and the Technical Award in the Sale of Residential Property under the expert training and guidance of Seetec.

 

Lewis Knight Estate Agents currently has 4 Apprentices in their offices studying for these qualifications and through Darren's continual support and inspiration, all staff now either have their qualifications or are working towards them. Karen said "Darren has worked closely with Seetec since 1997. Darren promotes an environment, which encourages learning and development."

 

Darren believes whole-heartedly in training. He was so keen to get all his staff to gain a professional qualification, he encouraged the other directors to take the Technical Award with him."

 

More than a hundred people attended the Champions of Learning Awards presented by former Blue Peter presenter John Noakes and hosted by Dave Monk from BBC Essex. A panel of seven judges declared that Darren was a true inspiration and particularly liked the fact that Darren leads by example and encourages staff at all levels to continue their professional development.

 

On receiving the award, Darren said he was thrilled and strongly believed that training was the way to provide increased customer satisfaction. He also said he would not ask his staff to do anything he was not prepared to do himself and he thought the qualifications were important for professional development.