Search is on in Wiltshire for talented learners (From This Is Wiltshire)

Search is on in Wiltshire for talented learners

8:00am Monday 15th March 2010 in

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Adult learners, trainers and teachers in Wiltshire will be recognised at an awards ceremony being held in May.

Organisers are calling for people to come forward with nominations for the Wiltshire Adult Learner Awards 2010.

The awards, organised by Wiltshire College and supported by the Wiltshire Times, are split into eight categories; Wiltshire Adult Apprentice of the Year, Wiltshire Adult Work Based Learner of the Year, Trainer or Training Team of the Year, Skills for Life Learner of the Year, Higher Education Learner of the Year, Wiltshire IT Learning Centre Learner of the Year, Wiltshire Senior Learner of the Year and Inspiring Others to Learn – Tutor Award.

All nominations will also be considered for the overall title of Wiltshire Adult Learner of the Year 2010.

Trish Emery, 43, of Corsham, won the Skills for Life Learner of the Year award, and was also named Wiltshire Adult Learner of the Year in 2009.

Wiltshire College lecturer in literacy and numeracy Janet Pollitt who nominated her, said: “In September 2006 Trish came along to the Martingate Centre, Corsham for initial assessment.

“She was shaking like a leaf and finding it hard to breathe. At that time she was agoraphobic and had been housebound for some time but was keen to change her life.

“Her education background has been very poor. She had been a long-term victim of bullying and had left school without any qualifications.”

The college’s director of group communications and marketing Stephanie Stephenson said: “I think the awards demonstrate that no matter what age you can learn new skills either for fun or to improve your life.

“Adult learning gives people the chance to find a new job or get back into work. It transforms lives no matter what age you are.”

The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and judging will take place in the week of April 19, with shortlisted finalists being notified by April 26.

All nominees will receive a certificate, while winners and runners-up will be invited to the awards ceremony at The Arc theatre in Trowbridge on May 20, during Adult Learners’ Week.

Local businesses are still able to get involved with sponsorship opportunities for the awards.

Sponsorship costs £250 per award and the company’s name will be associated with the award, in addition to other benefits.

To find out more about sponsorship, call Marguerite Wilson on 0845 345 2235.

Complete forms should be sent to Group Communications, c/o Wiltshire College Lackham, Lacock, Chippenham, SN15 2NY by April 9.

* Application information:

Applications should be made on the official form which can be found at www.wiltshire.ac.uk and can be done online. No additional supporting information will be considered. Only fully completed and signed forms can be considered. If you nominate yourself, you need to get your tutor or employer to support the nomination. If you nominate someone else, you need to get their agreement and signature before submitting the form. For more details email awards@wiltshire.ac.uk