Malcolm retired from his job at BT 18 years ago and has been working and studying
part-time ever since. Malcolm lives in Abertillery and has studied a number of Bite-Sized
Learning courses at Tredegar. He is currently studying a Sociology module, as part
of the Certificate of Higher Education, at a local learning centre in Brynmawr.
Malcolm believes that having courses available within local communities is very
important.
Paul Goddard is Director of Hazrem Environmental Ltd, a local firm providing hazardous
waste disposal and transportation services. The firm is expanding and Paul
has employed his wife Michelle to manage the administration functions, allowing
him to focus on growing the business further. Paul is supporting Michelle as she
improves her skills by undertaking Work-Based Learning courses at the community
learning centre in Tredegar. He believes that it is important to have training
and development programmes available to help businesses to thrive.
Michelle Goddard is a working mother of two based in Blackwood. Michelle has
recently joined Hazrem Environmental Ltd, her husband’s waste disposal firm
where she manages the administration. Michelle needed to improve her skills
in a number of key areas and she therefore enrolled on an Accounting course at the
community learning centre in Tredegar last year. Michelle is currently studying
Spreadsheets and hopes to continue her learning by undertaking a Marketing module
next year.
Michelle says that having learning accessible in her local area plus the times of
the courses, has been ideal. Michelle attends her course one day a week, 4-6pm,
at a time that fits around work and the school run. Michelle has found studying
locally to be the best option for her – as well as being able to travel to
Tredegar quickly and easily, she has been able to network with other students who
work in local companies, and has made some useful contacts for the business.
My name is Francesca Singer and I am a 32 year old mother of four studying English and Creative Writing BA at University of Wales, Newport (UWN).
After having my children, I felt that I had been away from the work place for too long to easily get back in to it. I felt that any skills I had learned at school were out of date, and I was worried that I would never be able to achieve the career in writing that I had always wanted.
I started studying to fill my spare time while my children were at school. I did a taster course in Creative Writing at Brynmawr, and found that I was achieving better results than I ever thought I could.
I was invited to attend a 'community to campus' week at UWN's Caerleon campus, where I attended taster lectures and experienced campus life. The final day of the week was the start of clearing, and I decided to go and ask what qualifications I would need to apply for a full time degree in English and Creative Writing. I was surprised and delighted to find that the credits I had accumulated in the community, along with my school qualifications and my life experience were enough. I was offered a place on the degree, and have never looked back.
Two years later, I am completely immersed in University life. I applied to become a Student Mentor, and have now been working supporting other students for over a year. I am doing really well on my course, achieving good grades and managing deadlines.
I thought I would be one of the oldest on my course and was worried about fitting in, but there is a really wide variety of people of all ages and I feel like I have made some really good friends and I am enjoying a good balance of the academic, working and social aspects of being a student.
I feel that I have gained the opportunity to showcase my skills and now have the confidence and self belief that I was lacking before.
When I heard that there was a job opportunity over this summer promoting UHOVI courses, I jumped at the chance. Short courses in the community helped me to achieve more than I ever thought I would. I would recommend them to anyone. After all, I am now working writing for UHOVI.