Certificates in nationally recognised office computer skills have been attained by 200 people at the High Street IT training centre.

Run by Bedford College, a major supporter of the BedfordBID, the convenient location means those in work or with family commitments can easily access the courses and complete their self-taught skills or start from scratch to obtain nationally recognised ITQ certificate. The courses are generally FREE.

Mayor of Bedford Dave Hodgson was joined a Certificate Celebration evening to congratulate some of those who succeeded.  A former IT university lecturer, Mayor Dave said Bedford College added to the “vibrancy” of the town centre.

Kempston mother Maureen Jack won the Student of the Year prize on the night which was presented by staff to the trainee who had shown commitment and perseverance.

Praise was heaped upon the college’s commitment to training by:

Preston Curtis, aged 31, who secured a job at verifile.co.uk on the Priory Business Park having gained his ITQ. He also won an A* GCSE certificate in Maths at the college. 

“I wouldn’t have got this great job without attending this college course,” said Preston.

Lelo Mayebo transferred to Bedford from Coventry with his job and has now won promotion at Sainsburys/DHL at Marsh Leys Kempston. 

“Being able to do Powerpoint and improving my spreadsheet skills meant I am now a Supervisor,” said Lelo.

Meanwhile two men experienced in using and training others in bespoke software used at Highways England, James Saunders and David Lawton, needed to familiarise themselves with Office 2010. They have both been recommending the Bedford IT Training Centre to colleagues at work.

“The facilities here are very good,” said James.

No 1 in region

There was more good news to be celebrated. Mayor Dave congratulated Bedford College Principal and CEO Ian Pryce on the merger with Tresham College in Northants. This makes Bedford College one of the biggest in the UK with a £60 Million budget and range of venues across two counties.

Bedford College is a boost not just for Bedford town centre, but the wider Borough by being the No1 FE College in the region.

Want to know more about any IT training go to bedford.ac.uk 

L- R Ian Pryce and Sharon Chinneck of Bedford College, Maureen and the Mayor