A college principal in Crewe has been awarded an OBE - announced in the Queens Birthday Honours List.

Principal and CEO of Cheshire College - South & West, Mr Jasbir Dhesi, has been awarded the OBE for services to education in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the sector.

An OBE is an order of the British Empire award - the second highest ranking behind CBE but ahead of MBE.

It stands for Officer of the Order of the British Empire and is awarded to someone for making a great impact in their line of work.

In 2017, Principal Dhesi led a successful merger of South Cheshire College and West Cheshire College - forming Cheshire College - South & West (Crewe Nub News).

Dhesi said: "I am both surprised and humbled to receive this honour. I share this award with all those colleagues that I have had and continue to have, the privilege to work alongside.

"Colleagues that are talented and passionate about nurturing talent, empowering people to achieve their full potential and making a real impact with the businesses and local communities.

"I am so fortunate to work in the Further Education Sector, that transforms lives and communities."

Mr Jasper Dhesi (known as Dhesi), has contributed close to three decades of service to education across Cheshire and North Wales.

During this time he has been a champion of Education and skills, working with employers and partners to support economic growth and development within the region and its surrounding areas.

Joining Yale College, Wrexham in 1992, Dhesi rose to the position of Principal 19 years later.

After leading Yale College into a merger with Deeside College to create College Cambria, he eventually left to become the new Principal/CEO of South Cheshire College, Crewe.

In 2017, the principal led a second successful merger of South Cheshire College and West Cheshire College - forming what is now known as Cheshire College - South & West.

This is now the largest Further Education provider in the region - offering opportunities to 11,000 learners and 1,000 apprentices. 

A member of the Employers' Skills and Education Board of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Dhesi represents all Cheshire and Warrington colleges and training providers.

He is also an active member of the Crewe Town Investment Board, Trustee of Shavington Academy, Chair of North Wales Science Board and a Director of Cheshire Commonwealth Association.

Cheshire College has so far received a total investment of £165m in latest technology and bespoke training facilities - providing learners with real work environments and aspirational goals.

This is in a range of curriculum areas including A-levels, Full-time courses, Apprenticeships, Part-Time courses for adults and Higher Education.

In the fifth year of Cheshire College, two brand new facilities will open on campus this September.

This will feature a new start-of-the-art Digital Centre at the Chester Campus and new Engineering facilities at the Ellesmere Port Campus.

Dhesi added: "In addition to acknowledging and thanking all the colleagues I have worked alongside; I must also thank those leaders, friends and family that inspired and mentored me in my career.

"I have been given amazing opportunities and support, in essence a reflection of what Further Education is all about.

"The best part of Further Education are the students - they are our real inspiration. Nothing will ever beat the joy from meeting former students and hearing how their lives and careers developed.

"Looking ahead at how much more myself and the team around me can achieve, we have so many exciting plans for the future.

Mr Jasper Dhesi (known as Dhesi), has contributed close to three decades of service to education across Cheshire and North Wales (Cheshire College - South & West).

"I want to look back and be able to say that wow, we really achieved a lot for our students, communities, employers and the region."

In 2008, work started to replace the original Dank Bank Avenue building with a brand new single campus building for Crewe - this was completed in 2010.

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