A North Belfast man who received a special award this week has made his family, friends and teachers beyond proud - and he is proud of himself too.
Kyle Irvine, 22, who has autism, has excelled throughout his three years in attendance at Springvale Learning. The team at Springvale has been delivering vocational courses and apprenticeships for over 30 years and continues to be a key player upskilling young people and working with local employers to grow and develop their talented workforce.
At their annual awards ceremony on Monday, Kyle was given a special honour as he was named Springvale Learner of the Year 2022.
Read more: Young people celebrated at Belfast awards ceremony
Kyle told Belfast Live that he began to find his love for cookery while he was in secondary school. He has invested his time into becoming a chef, and has also secured full-time employment at the Ability Cafe in Belfast Zoo.
Kyle's parents watched on with pride as their son took to the stage to accept his award on Monday.
"We are very proud of Kyle because he has worked so hard," his mum said.
"Kyle has autism, and he hasn't let that stop him. The support that he has received in Springvale has been brilliant and we would 100% recommend it to other people. They have just worked really well with Kyle.
"He is now working in the Lion's Den Cafe at Belfast Zoo, which we are all just delighted about."
Upper Springfield Development Trust's CEO, Donal McKinney described Kyle as "a pleasant and now very mature student". Kyle is well-known in the Springvale community and put a smile on the faces of the audience at the ceremony.
"Overall Learner of the Year across all our vocational areas is a student who has worked extremely well both in catering and throughout his Essential Skills, Personal and Social Development here at Springvale," Donal added.
"Kyle arrived at Springvale through the school’s programme, progressed on to TFS and has been in his placement which has now led to full time employment. He has completed his Level 1 professional cookery qualification to a high standard.
"He is a pleasant and now very mature student who loves a joke and sharing silly facts with everyone. He is very well thought of throughout Springvale, his placement and now full-time employment and his smile is infectious."
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