FENLAND District Council has won a prestigious learning award for its commitment to improving the skills of its staff. The council won the Employer Commitment to Skills award at Cambridgeshire s inaugural Big Skill Awards 2009 at a ceremony held on Monday

FENLAND District Council has won a prestigious learning award for its commitment to improving the skills of its staff.

The council won the Employer Commitment to Skills award at Cambridgeshire's inaugural Big Skill Awards 2009 at a ceremony held on Monday.

Shari Khan, Change and Development Manager, said: "This is recognition of what we do across the company. Everyone in the organisation gets an equal chance to develop their skills, and as a result improve their life chances as well."

More than 250 employees are undergoing training on the Train to Gain programme in areas including customer service, management, advice and guidance, IT, health and safety and skills for life.

Run by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in partnership with BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, The Big Skill Awards recognise and reward people who have improved their life or the lives of others through learning.

The winners were announced on Monday in Peterborough at an awards ceremony that was open to the public to attend. Winners were presented with a certificate, trophy and a �150 experience day voucher by BBC Sport presenter Ray Stubbs, who launched The Big Skill in Peterborough in January this year.

The awards ceremony followed a day-long showcase event outside the Town Hall, where people could try their hand at different skills taught by colleges and training providers in Cambridgeshire, from plumbing to smoothie making and brick-laying to race car driving (in a simulator!) at the showcase stalls outside of the Town Hall.

There were also stage performances throughout the day, compered by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, including storytelling and stage combat from Cambridge Regional College, hair demonstration and a samba band. Peterborough Regional College put on street theatre performances around the area outside of the Town Hall throughout the day.

BBC Cambridgeshire presenter Jane Smith said: "It's been a privilege to share the amazing achievements of these determined learners and dedicated tutors from across Cambridgeshire - but what a daunting task to choose an overall winner from such outstanding entries. All the Big Skill Awards finalists should be very proud of their achievements and they are an inspiration to us all."

Graham Brough, Area Director at LSC Cambridgeshire, said The Big Skill had done a great job of raising awareness of the learning and training opportunities on offer in Cambridgeshire.

"It's been wonderful to celebrate and recognise the real achievements of learners across the county," he added.

"The Big Skill winners should be an inspiration to others and show that it is possible to overcome challenges and learn new skills that can open doors and change lives for the better.