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Local students celebrate success

29 June 2012

Two local students have been recognised for their success and commitment to learning.

 

Lisa Carroll was crowned as Coleg Morgannwg UHOVI Learner of the Year 2012, whilst Peter Taylor, from Aberdare, was the Acorn UHOVI Learner of the Year 2012. The awards were presented at the first Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute (UHOVI) celebration evening.  Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert was on hand to present the winners along with well-known Welsh comedian Chris Corcoran.

Lisa is studying for a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education in Aberdare. After the birth of her son, she decided to return to learning as she has always had an interest in teaching.
 
For Lisa this was a total career change but she has successfully undertaken her teaching practice and her tutors describe her as a fully committed individual who thrives on being the very best at all times.  They say that Lisa has flourished from a shy, introvert girl into a professional, assertive, and equally skilled tutor.
 
Lisa said: “I am really pleased to receive this award and to have my efforts recognised. I was inspired to become a tutor but I lacked confidence - this course has really helped me and I can’t wait to develop further within my teaching career."
 
Peter Taylor is a Design Manager at AB Connectors’ Abercynon facility.  His manager says he has always demonstrated a high level of competence and a real ability and willingness to learn new skills. Peter’s involvement in a UHOVI programme of work-based learning came about as a result of discussions about his career development and recognition by the company of a need to assist Peter in developing further his leadership skills. 
 
Peter says: “The course has helped me recognise opportunities for me to develop and to learn more. I get real benefit from studying with professionals from other sectors and the times of the course make it easy to plan around work commitments.”
 
Launched in 2010, UHOVI is a unique partnership between the University of Glamorgan and University of Wales, Newport and opens up Higher Education opportunities for learners in the Valleys region.

University of Glamorgan Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Director of UHOVI Helen Marshall said, “UHOVI is all about improving skills and qualifications by making learning accessible to people in their own locality. This celebration event shows just how far we have come since launching and how many people are already benefiting from UHOVI courses.
 
“UHOVI is making a real difference to businesses in regenerating the valleys. Behind the statistics are stories of individual success with over 1500 students whose lives are being changed by their UHOVI study.”


Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert, said: “I am delighted to be able to celebrate some of the success stories of the Welsh Government’s investment in education in the Heads of the Valleys.
 
“Over the last two years, the Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute has been delivering ambitious foundation and high-level work-related learning provision for all. It has provided an access route to Higher Education for learners who previously felt excluded or unable to participate in such opportunities.
 
“I would also like to congratulate the learners for their hard work and ambition that has led to the excellent results being recognised at this event.”

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