Local Hero at Cornwall College Business
Vaughan Curnow from Cornwall College Business (CCB) has been recognised for his commitment to the environment at the 2012 Pirate FM Local Hero Awards.
Vaughan works as a Liaison Officer with CCB, acting as a crucial point of contact between Cornwall College and engineering apprentices and businesses, providing on-going support and advice. The Local Hero Environmental Award is awarded to someone who has made a difference or campaigned for environmental awareness through a project or campaign. Vaughan has been instrumental in bringing the annual Greenpower electric car challenge to Cornwall which has seen over 4,000 primary and secondary school children compete to build and race their own electric cars.
The competition, now in its fifth year, incorporates maths, engineering, physics, design, marketing, team building, technology, problem solving & communication and aims to develop an understanding of the engineering industry in school age children. Throughout the year the children build their own electric car at school and in June compete for a place in the national final in a two day race event run by Cornwall College and Greenpower in front of thousands of spectators.
Vaughan said: "There are not enough young engineers entering the industry in Cornwall. Greenpower gets young people engaged in a project that not only promotes engineering and the environment but encourages the use of so many other skills. By showing students what they can do they become interested in a subject they otherwise would not consider a career. I am delighted to have won the Local Hero Award, and as Greenpower grows bigger each year we are encouraging the engineering apprentices of the future."
Dave Linnell, CEO and Principal of Cornwall College said: "We are really proud of Vaughan; he thoroughly deserves the recognition of his hard work through this award. He has made a huge difference to the education of young people in Cornwall, in both environmental awareness and engineering. The Cornwall College South West Greenpower heat is the biggest in the country thanks to Vaughan and is igniting the enthusiasm of future engineering talent right here in Cornwall."
To find out more contact Cornwall College Business on 0800 731 7594 / enquiries@ccb.cornwall.ac.uk
