British Empire Medal for long-serving college technician
15th June 2024 – Tags: Construction, Staff
Alan Twiddy, who is a Technician Team Leader at City College Norwich, will receive a British Empire Medal for his services to further education in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Mr Twiddy, who has worked for 36 years at City College Norwich, has received this recognition for the exceptional technical support he has provided for the college’s technical and vocational courses, in particular in construction and engineering.
His personal contribution and his leadership of a team of skilled and dedicated technicians across the college, he has ensured that thousands of students and apprentices have had the learning environments and equipment required to hone their skills and learn their trades.
Following the college’s merger with Easton College in 2020, Alan played a leading role in implementing health and safety improvements across the campus which specialises in land-based learning. The significant improvements to the learning environment at Easton College were noted by Ofsted following their inspection visit in October 2021.
Alan has also been a key contributor in the design and development of innovative new learning facilities on the college’s Ipswich Road campus. This included working with employer partners to secure the very latest equipment (such as CNC machines and equipment for electric and hybrid vehicle maintenance) for the college’s Advanced Construction and Engineering Centre, and planning the internal layout of the new workshops in the Construction Skills Centre, due to be opened in January 2025.
He also led the college’s work with the Broad’s Authority, which helped to develop students’ heritage construction skills through a Heritage Lottery funded project. This led Alan supporting students to work in the National Park on windpumps and other heritage buildings – work that has made an important contribution to the wider community as well as developing young people’s skills.
Alan said:
The news that I will be getting this honour came out of the blue, it was quite a surprise. I’ve just been doing my job to the best of my ability, supported by a great team of technicians. It really is a team effort. I’m not one for fame and glory, but it is appreciated."
Jerry White, Principal, City College Norwich, commented:
As Technician Team Leader, Alan has constantly gone above and beyond to provide exceptional standards of technical support, making sure that our complex and diverse learning environments are always ready for action and evolving to meet new industry demands.
The work of college technicians is mostly carried out behind-the-scenes, but Alan and his team play an integral role in enhancing the experience of our students and supporting our lecturing colleagues to inspire the next generation.
Alan’s length of service and ability to continue to drive the college forward in our aspirations is truly inspiring and worthy of this recognition.”