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 South West Durham Training and 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.
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 South West Durham Training and 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.