The Educational Trailblazer award, sponsored by East Coast Energy Training Academy, at the East Anglia Clean & Green Awards 2025 is open for submissions.

The Educational Trailblazer Award will go to an organisation with a programme that effectively raises awareness and promotes sustainability through education, training or communication.

Rachel Bunn, skills director at award sponsor East Coast Energy Training Academy, said she will be looking for examples of innovation, collaboration and partnership to support recruitment, retention and upskilling activities.

Ms Bunn said she wanted to be involved in the Clean & Green Awards as “we need to shout about the great work that is taking place in the region”, and added that “the trailblazer will have gone above and beyond the norm”.

Rachel Bunn, skills director at East Coast Training AcademyRachel Bunn, skills director at East Coast Training Academy (Image: East Coast College) Simply entering this category will be a worthwhile experience, she explained, as the award will acknowledge the importance of skills and training in meeting the regional skills needs.

“This can be linked to CSR [corporate social responsibility] and ESG [environmental, social and governance], as well as going above and beyond,” she added.

Providing clear evidence of achievements will be key when entering.

“We will be looking for measurable data on skills gained and the learning that has taken place,” said Ms Bunn.

The organisation’s innovation will also be taken into account by the judges.

“Innovation is at the heart of mixing up skills in the region. The ‘do different’ approach should be at the heart of the nomination.”

The winner of the award, along with the finalists, will have their achievements showcased, but the Educational Trailblazer Award will also “highlight how great our region is and how education and skills are at the heart of their work”, said Ms Bunn.

Submit your entry today at cleanandgreenawards.co.uk and be part of the Clean & Green movement.

To find out more about all of the categories, please click here.

Meet the sponsor

East Coast Training Academy is located at East Coast College’s Lowestoft campus. The academy supports a range of commercial training to support the energy, engineering and wider sectors. The college facilities are world class.

Training includes a range of bespoke and qualification models to meet the training needs of the sector as well as those seeking new career opportunities.

Courses can support local and international delegates to develop skills as well as competency in areas such as offshore, emergency response, maritime, health and safety, renewable energy, leadership and engineering.

The centre also supports bespoke training for sectors to meet evolving training needs and works with employers on new training models such as skills bootcamps and targeted diplomas in the workplace.

Criteria

The judges of the Educational Trailblazer Award will be looking for programmes that effectively raise awareness and promote sustainability through education, training or communication.

Innovation, engagement and measurable outcomes in knowledge or behaviour change will be key factors.

Entries should have the potential for wider reach and scalability.