Celebrating Achievement, Self-Belief and Community in Newcastle
The Pitman Training Newcastle Graduation Ceremony 2025 was a proud and deeply meaningful celebration of achievement, resilience and belief. Held on Saturday 15 November at the historic Common Room in Newcastle, the event brought together graduates, their families, friends and supporters to mark the completion of journeys shaped by determination and hard work.
The atmosphere in the room was celebratory and warm, charged with a shared sense of accomplishment. For many learners, this moment represented far more than a certificate. It was the visible result of balancing study with work, family life and personal challenges, and proof that progress is possible at any stage.
At the heart of the celebration was Pitman Training Newcastle, whose team has continued to support adult learners across the region with flexible, practical and confidence-building training.
Watch highlights from the Pitman Training Newcastle Graduation Ceremony 2025 below.
A Setting That Reflected History and Progress
The ceremony was hosted by Faye Dougherty from the North East Combined Authority, who opened the event with a thoughtful welcome. She drew a powerful comparison between the long educational heritage of Pitman Training and the historic significance of the Common Room itself, a building that has witnessed generations of learning, industry and progress in the North East.
Graduates were joined by an audience that reflected strong regional backing for adult education, including The Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Freda Geddes, accompanied by Consort Alex Geddes, alongside Gillian Forrester, Head of Newcastle City Learning, and Susan Freeman, Head of Volunteering at St Oswald’s Hospice. The presence of employers, civic leaders and community partners reinforced the wider value of skills development beyond the classroom.
Messages That Centred on Belief and Determination
Throughout the ceremony, one message echoed consistently: belief in yourself matters.
Lesley Cuthbertson, Area Manager, spoke about the importance of self-belief, sharing the story of Roger Bannister to illustrate how perceived limits can often be broken once confidence catches up with capability. Her words resonated strongly with learners who had studied alongside demanding shift patterns and young families.
This was followed by Gillian Forrester, who expanded on how self-belief can be practised and strengthened over time. She spoke about setting goals, maintaining momentum and recognising progress, reminding graduates that confidence grows through action.
Paul Lewis, Managing Director of Pitman Training Group, reflected on the meaning behind the Student of the Year awards, emphasising that they recognise attitude, commitment and growth as much as academic achievement. The ceremony also highlighted the impact of the Volunteer to Career initiative, introduced by Susan Freeman and Lesley Cuthbertson, demonstrating how volunteering can open doors for individuals while delivering real value to charitable organisations.
Student of the Year: Ahmed Oyekanola
The emotional high point of the afternoon came with the announcement of Student of the Year.
Ahmed Oyekanola was recognised for his outstanding dedication, exceptional pace of learning and infectious enthusiasm throughout his studies. He completed his programme faster than any student the centre has previously seen, setting a remarkable benchmark for commitment and focus.
Since completing his training, Ahmed has secured a promotion within the ambulance service and now works professionally in his chosen field of IT, applying the skills he developed through Pitman Training directly into the workplace. His journey stands as a powerful example of what targeted upskilling, sustained effort and the right support can achieve.
Following the ceremony, Ahmed shared heartfelt feedback with the centre team, underlining how meaningful the experience had been and how strongly supported he felt throughout his learning journey.
Journeys That Reflect Modern Adult Learning
This year’s graduates represented a wide range of real-world learning paths. Many were Amazon Associates who balanced demanding shift work with study and family life. Others were Pitman Scholarship recipients, having successfully applied for and earned funded places through determination and ambition.
For several learners, graduation marked a return to education after time away, rebuilding confidence as much as capability. One graduate, Eddy Busanga, shared news shortly after the ceremony that he had secured his dream job, crediting his training for giving him the confidence to take that next step.
For the centre team, reconnecting with graduates and their families was especially moving. Conversations throughout the afternoon were filled with gratitude for the encouragement, flexibility and consistent support learners received during their studies.
Looking Ahead with Pride and Purpose
For Pitman Training Newcastle, the 2025 graduation was an opportunity to pause and reflect. It marked how far learners have come, but also how the centre itself has grown in its mission to support the region’s workforce.
Set within one of Newcastle’s most iconic venues, the ceremony captured what Pitman Training stands for: accessible education, practical skills and belief in people at every stage of their career. As the event came to a close, there was a shared sense that this was not an ending, but a beginning.
The graduates of 2025 leave with confidence, capability and momentum, ready to shape the next chapter of their professional lives, and to contribute to the future of the North East.
Our full youtube video is here
