Pearson Middle East honours the winner of BTEC Award for Sport Learner of the year 2021

Pearson, the world’s learning company today announced the winners of the 11th annual BTEC Awards recognizing outstanding learners, tutors, teachers, colleges and schools. The award ceremony, held online for the second year due to Covid-19, was co-hosted by Flex (presenter of the United View, YouTube influencer and BTEC alumnus and Ambassador), and Gemma Care (sports presenter).

19 category award winners were celebrated from around the world in subjects such as Health and Social Care, Performing Arts, Engineering, IT, Business and Sport.

UAE Gold Award winner, Megan Piechowiak from Jumeirah English Speaking School, Dubai, was awarded the prestigious BTEC Award for Sport Learner of the Year 2021; she stood out to the judges because of her passion for sport and helping others. In addition to achieving top predicted grades in her BTEC Sport programme, Megan also trains regularly and is a certified umpire and coach. The only female learner on her course, she is a role model for other female athletes. During Covid-19 online learning, Megan independently created workout videos for younger learners to help them keep fit during lockdown, and she works as an assistant gymnastics coach for under-five-year-olds once a week.

Commenting on her BTEC Award, Megan Piechowiak said: “I was honoured to be nominated and surprised when I won. This is a huge accomplishment for me and I’m proud that my hard work, dedication and passion for sport has been recognised by others.”

Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President for BTEC and Apprenticeships at Pearson, said: “2021 has been another extraordinary year for our BTEC learners, tutors, teachers, colleges and schools and I am delighted that today we are able to come together and celebrate this year’s winners - and all of the individuals who will be awarded a BTEC qualification this year. The hard work and commitment demonstrated by our award winners, all of whom have achieved great things during a time of unprecedented disruption, is extraordinary and I am proud we are able to celebrate their achievements.”

BTEC Sport qualifications teach learners the knowledge required to pursue a career in sport. Learners will also develop the skills for a range of sport-related pathways, from sports coaching to gym management. The qualification can help learners to work at the cutting edge of elite sport, supporting top athletes as sports scientists, sports psychologists, strength and conditioning coaches, sports therapists, coaches and in many other roles. Learners may also opt to pursue a career in teaching, community coaching or working within the health and leisure sectors. Opportunities in sport today are exciting and vast - a BTEC Sport course can help learners be prepared for their chosen next step and provide extensive career guidance to support them.

Nearly a million learners across the globe completed BTEC courses over the past year; the career-focused qualifications are a vital route for those aspiring to work in sectors such as IT, business, the creative industries, healthcare, engineering, construction and future industries. In fact, a recent report by PwC shows that governments in the Middle East are actively seeking to use sport as a way to diversify their economies and build social cohesion. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have spent more than $65bn on sports development, in order to nurture and solidify the developing sports ecosystem.