Huddersfield Town Manager Lee Clark took time from his busy League One season to present over 30 awards to students at his club’s local College. The awards were given to students who have shown outstanding achievement within their trade area; plumbing, joinery, construction technology or brickwork. This achievement may be exceptional course work, excellent course grades, overcoming personal/professional adversity or overall attitude and work ethic.

During the award ceremony, local employers were also awarded for providing outstanding workplaces for the students to carry out work experience and placements. Kirklees College honoured companies which have provided exceptional motivation and trust towards learners in order to help them produce excellent work based evidence, meet their targets and develop them personally.

Paul Toher is the Learner Success team leader for Construction at Kirklees College and organised the event. He said:

"It has been a real privilege to organise our construction awards evening this year as it is such an important event on the college calendar. It gave us the opportunity to reward the commitment and excellent achievements of our learners and employers and it is something that all staff look forward to and enjoy immensely.

"The recent merger and subsequent reorganisation has seen the construction awards evening nearly double in size, so we will be presenting a record 38 awards this year.

"I have been overwhelmed with the generosity of our local businesses and employers in Kirklees with regard to sponsorship on the evening and I am extremely grateful to them all for their continued support, it really is much appreciated. The support of Huddersfield Town has also been brilliant and the confirmation of manager Lee Clark as guest presenter was the icing on the cake for me.

"There is a real sense of community spirit about the event this year and a feeling of a ‘job well done’ for everyone involved as we near the end of another academic year. The future certainly looks bright for construction within Kirklees."

Huddersfield Town Manager, Lee Clark said:

"Huddersfield Town is proud to be heavily involved in the local community and I am honoured to have been asked to present these awards at Kirklees College.

"The students have worked very hard throughout their academic year and have achieved some fantastic things, so I am delighted to play a part in their special evening."