LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IS‘ CROWNING’ MOMENT FOR BARRY
Aycliffe Business Make Your Mark Awards
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Sponsored by
THE FINALISTS
BARRY WEDGWOOD( PRIMEX PLASTICS)
Martin Walker handed the Lifetime Achievement Award to Brian Corker of NC Group.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IS‘ CROWNING’ MOMENT FOR BARRY
“
The crowning achievement in my career”.
That’ s how Brian Corker summed up an emotional night at the Make Your Mark Awards that culminated in a standing ovation as he won the Lifetime Achievement trophy.
With more than 40 years’ experience of teaching in the engineering and manufacturing sector – with many of those years serving the engineers of today on Aycliffe Business Park – Brian has had a huge impact on apprenticeships and workforce development.
And as if to emphasise how much of an impact, earlier in the evening one of the young people he’ s taught, Matthew Davis, picked up the Apprentice of the Year prize.
After starting as a technical engineering apprentice in 1977, Brian’ s own engineering career took in spells at the likes of Smart and Brown, Thorn Lighting and British Steel – but accepting a lecturer’ s post at Darlington College in 1994 proved a game-changer.
Through tenures at SWDT and now NC Group, for whom he came out of retirement, he has literally transformed the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of young people – and he has no intention of stopping yet.
Brian, 64, said:“ When you have a young lad in your class who says‘ you taught my dad’ then you realise it’ s flown by! But as long as NC Group wants me, and as long as I’ m able, I’ ll keep on going. I love the job and NC Group is a fantastic place to work.
“ Some of those I work with are the same age as me and we’ re passing on what we’ ve learned to the young people.
“ It’ s good to see people develop. My goal now is to pass on to these young people what I learned and let them take over the mantle.
“ But this is a crowning moment for me – it’ s absolutely fantastic, I can’ t believe it.”
And typically, Brian was quick to heap praise on his young charges.
He said:“ There are some really good, talented young people out there who don’ t get the praise they deserve. They work hard, they’ re committed and have a fantastic attitude.”
Martin Walker, co-director of event organiser and category sponsor Resolution Media and Publishing, said the Lifetime Achievement finalists had made“ unflinching and long-lasting” contributions to their respective organisations, as well as to Aycliffe Business Park and Newton Aycliffe.
He added:“ All three have had a generational impact on Newton Aycliffe and its people.”
Brian just pipped Barry Wedgwood of Primex Plastics and Don Walker, of Walker’ s Butchers in the town, to the Lifetime Achievement award.
Barry has dedicated his working life to Primex and has given more than any employer could ask for.
Known internally as“ The Oracle”, Barry is incredibly knowledgeable about his work and Primex’ s products.
Bosses also say he’ s kind, humble and genuine, and someone whom all the team adore.
His work has a distinct and direct correlation with the success Primex has seen over recent years, and the reason the business has been able to grow from its Aycliffe Business Park premises.
In his 27th year of work at Primex, ahead of his retirement, Primex say you’ ll struggle to find a more dedicated and impactful employee.
DON WALKER( WALKER’ S BUTCHERS)
Don has been the main butcher in Newton Aycliffe for decades – and has spent literally a lifetime of helping and giving. Described as generous, thoughtful, loyal and caring, Don has trained many butchers over the years and brought two more generations into the family business, which is based at Simpasture shops in the town.
Don has been a Rotarian for decades, helping many people, families and charities in the area, and has personally and professionally helped hundreds of people over the years.
Now in his 80s, Don has supported numerous local charities with his time and resources over many decades – he’ s a true local hero.
PREVIOUS WINNERS 2024: RONNIE NICHOLSON( GESTAMP)
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