Coleg Powys held a presentation evening recently for students who had successfully completed the Access to Higher Education and New Horizons programme at the Newtown site.

These courses provide students with the opportunity to re-enter education so that they can change their career, study for general interest or eventually study for a university degree.

If you would like further information about these courses or other courses that Colleg Powys offers please go to www.coleg-powys.ac.uk, email enquiries@coleg-powys.ac.uk or telephone 0845 4086 200.

The first Powys Inspire 2009 Awards event was held on Tuesday 19th May at Coleg Powys, Newtown, to celebrate learning and achievement of adult learners in Powys.

This event was arranged to celebrate the achievements of the inspirational winners and the role of adult learning in shaping their futures, and the future of Wales.  It showcased just a few of the extraordinary stories of individuals and groups from across Powys where learning changed their lives and opened doors to new beginnings.

Richard Spear, Director of NIACE Dysgu Cymru, which promotes adult learning in Wales, presented certificates to each of the learners nominated before the winners of the awards were announced.  There were nineteen learners that were nominated for the awards.

Paul Brown was awarded with fourth place.  From not being in formal education for over 30 years, Paul has nearly completed the Adult Modern Apprenticeship in Electro technical services and has passed the exams with credits and distinctions.

In third place was Amy Roberts, who started working at The Metropole Hotel with no experience or qualifications.  She then studied the Foundation Modern Apprenticeship at Coleg Powys and achieved a NVQ Level 2 in Front Office.  She is now in a managerial position at the hotel and is doing the NVQ Level 3 in Hospitality and Supervision.

Colin Marpole was second.  Previously he had no literacy knowledge so decided to do a course at Coleg Harlech WEA and successfully completed an Entry 2 qualification in a short time.  Colin said “Before I started on the course I could not write my name, but now I can read some of a newspaper and my confidence has greatly improved.”

The winner of the Powys Inspire 2009 Awards was Astero O’Sullivan, who has studied at Coleg Powys.  She attended Basic Skills English and Maths classes, which allowed her to overcome her fears and lack of confidence.  Astero wants to progress to the Access to Higher Education to help her realise her dream of becoming a librarian.  She said, “I needed to enhance my life, learning has enabled me to socialise and make friends. I have gained qualifications and my confidence has soared – this has made me enthusiastic to keep studying”.

The event was arranged as part of the Powys Learning Festival, which is co-ordinated by a group of learning providers including Coleg Harlech WEA, Welsh for Adults, Aberystwyth University, Oriel Davies Gallery and Coleg Powys.   A range of events were organised across Powys to promote learning.  It enabled people to have a go at trying something new through taster sessions or obtain information about courses being offered by the various partners.

Nothing to lose – everything to gain!

Astero O’Sullivan of Welshpool has been selected as the Powys County Award Winner in the 2009 National Inspire Awards for Adult Learning.  She was presented with her award at a ceremony at The Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay on Monday 11th May.

Astero left school without gaining qualifications and went to work, in her words, “in a series of dead end jobs”.   She tried to return to learning many times, but a lack of confidence, anxiety and depression always got in the way.

For Astero the turning point came when her son started school and she decided she needed to brush up on her literacy and numeracy skills - she joined Basic Skills classes at Coleg Powys. She says, “I needed to enhance my life, learning has enabled me to socialise and make friends. I have gained qualifications and my confidence has soared – this has made me enthusiastic to keep studying”.

Astero’s learning experience has left her wanting more, she admits she is now addicted to learning, “It gives me a great sense of well-being. My favourite subjects have to be literature and psychology, and I am now always engrossed in some book.”

Her next step will be to start studying for an Access to Higher Education diploma in September and while Astero is on the way to better career prospects, her family are benefiting from her new found optimism and zest for life. She has a message to others, “You may find the idea of going back to college very daunting, however give it a try; you have nothing to lose and everything to gain”.