Double celebration for college as two honoured by Queen

Christian Notley, furniture making lecturer at the college, has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to WorldSkills at Leipzig 2013 and Sao Paulo 2015.

Christian is the UK WorldSkills training manager for cabinet making and has coached two British entrants, both of which are former Chichester College students, to gold in successive competitions.

He said: “It’s a huge honour to be awarded an MBE. I am passionate about the value of vocational training and apprenticeships as being equal to academic courses, so it’s great to have skills training recognised in the honours list and hopefully this will help others to realise its value as well.

“It is humbling to be recognised on this level but I’m very much aware that it’s something I could not have done on my own.

“The success we have had at WorldSkills would not have been possible without the support we have received from Chichester College, especially the lecturers in the furniture department who have covered my lessons over the years to allow me the time to commit to WorldSkills.

“I would also like to thank my fellow WorldSkills UK Experts, who have given me enormous support and advice, especially during my first cycle as an expert in Leipzig.”

Former student Edward ‘Woody’ Harringman has also been recognised, receiving the British Empire Medal (BEM) after winning the gold medal for cabinet making at last year’s WorldSkills competition in Sao Paulo.

As well as working full-time for Halstock, Edward also volunteers as a WorldSkills UK Champion, visiting schools, speaking at career events and supporting entrants in skills competitions.

He said: “When I received my letter I felt quite overwhelmed by what had been offered to me and I feel very proud. This is something that will be with me for the rest of my life and my family felt the same when I told them the news.

“I hope that this also raises awareness of the WorldSkills competition to younger people pursuing a career in skills.”

The Queen’s Birthday Honours celebrate the achievements of extraordinary people across the UK.

Chichester College Principal, Shelagh Legrave OBE, who was herself recognised in last year’s list, said: “We are extremely proud of both Christian and Edward’s achievements.

“They both richly deserve this recognition, which follows enormous success on the world stage.

“Christian has transformed the furniture making department here at Chichester College, introducing courses for 16-18 year olds and teaching them skills that would make them highly employable.

“Christian also saw how skills competitions could help our students and began to develop this aspect, and in 2009 one of our students represented the UK in cabinet making for the first time.

“Chichester College has now represented the UK at the last four WorldSkills competitions, winning gold at the last two with George Callow in 2013 and Edward in 2015 – both trained by Christian who volunteered to become the UK training manager in 2011.

“He is an extremely worthy recipient of this honour.”

Chichester astronaut Tim Peake became the first man in space to be honoured by the Queen after being awared a companion of the order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for his services to space research and scientific education.

Forces Sweetheart and Sussex resident Dame Vera Lynn was also recognised, joining the elite Companions of Honour for her services to entertainment and charity.

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