The AoC Gold Awards invite colleges across the UK to nominate former students who have excelled in their chosen field, to acknowledge the importance of further education, either as a gateway to higher education, or as a platform from which students can begin their careers. Thomson has continued to recognise the importance of further education training in the catering and hospitality industry, and in 1999 established the annual James Thomson Award for Outstanding Customer Service that recognises and financially assists a student who has shown outstanding commitment to excellence in customer service during their studies at Edinburgh's Telford College. Thomson was joined at the awards ceremony by his "mini-me", current Telford College hospitality management student Stewart Craigie, who is currently studying a HND in Hospitality Management at the college. He has also been offered work experience with top chefs such as Martin Wishart, Tom Kitchen and Tony Borthwick. He now works part time at Borthwick's restaurant, The Plumed Horse, working in the pastry kitchen. The award winner is also a significant sponsor of an annual exchange trip between Edinburgh students and the Francois Rabelais College in Lyon, giving up to 20 students and lecturers hands-on experience in Michelin-starred restaurants in France's culinary capital. His activities continue to encourage a number of promising students to join the hospitality industry and he works closely with the Hospitality Trust Industry. Thomson commented on his achievement: "My time at Telford College gave me the experience and confidence that I needed to achieve what I have done today and I'm very grateful for all the help that they gave me during my time there. "I am delighted to be receiving a Gold Award from the Association of Colleges and would like to thank Telford College for their nomination." The awards ceremony was held at The House of Commons.