Timnit is crowned Regional Student of the Year by Deloitte

Timnit Menghesha, a former student at Solihull College, was recently crowned Regional Student of the Year after excelling on the Deloitte Employability Skills programme.

The College is the Midlands Regional Centre for the initiative, which helps college tutors to teach students the skills, attitudes and behaviours they need to secure and sustain employment.

Timnit, who also successfully completed the BTEC National Diploma in Software Development in 2011, comments: “I am thrilled to receive this award from Deloitte; completing the programme has changed my life.  When I first enrolled at College I lacked confidence and didn’t want to get involved in class activities, but I soon realised the classes were interesting so I put all my efforts into taking part.  I am now really proud of the skills I have developed, in particular giving presentations to different groups of people, and the confidence I have gained has helped me to do well in university and job interviews.”

Deloitte, the business advisory firm, has invested £2 million in developing the programme, with over 5,000 students taking part every year.

The programme enables students to build self-esteem and self-awareness, understand the attitudes and behaviours required in the workplace, and develop interpersonal, team working and communication skills. On completing the programme each student receives a BTEC Level 2 Award in Employability Skills.

Fatima Ramji, Head of School for Computing at Solihull College, comments: “I am extremely proud of Timnit for receiving this award and it is thoroughly deserved.  She is a shining example of how the programme helps develop students’ self-esteem, communication skills and overall behaviour towards work and study.”

After being crowned Regional Student, Timnit agreed to share her experience of the programme to an audience including Baron Baker of Dorking, at the National Employability Skills award ceremony in London.  She is now studying Software Engineering at Sheffield University.

    Photo caption: Timnit Menghesha and tutor Pippa Kempton with their awards.

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