College of West Anglia (CWA) education partner, Action Community Enterprises [ACE], have been shortlisted two social enterprise awards; Education & Training Social Enterprise and Louise Gardiner [Managing Director] has been shortlisted for the Women in Social Enterprise category.

ACE is a social enterprise that helps ex-offenders, the long-term unemployed and those for whom mainstream learning isn’t an option has been shortlisted for two national awards.

Based in Rackheath, ACE is a finalist in the education and training category of the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2021.

Construction learners in the workshop at Action Community Enterprises in Rackheath. 

Engineering learners in the workshop at Action Community Enterprises in Rackheath.

Managing director Louise Gardiner, who won education champion of the Year in the EDP’s Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards in 2019, has also been nominated in the national Woman in Social Enterprise Awards. 

ACE managing director Louise Gardiner won education champion of the year in the EDP’s ‘Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards’ in 2019.

The specialist education and support provider has been delivering vocational training, employment support and alternative education since 2011.

Ms Gardiner said: “I’m so proud of what ACE has achieved over the last 11 years and I’m proud to think that my vision has helped thousands change their lives for the better.