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Ed Melia, NIACE Press Officer:
Inspirational stories told throughout ALW illustrate just how learning can fulfil ambitions. Continuing our series of podcasts celebrating ALW, I spoke to Dawn Stokes from Birmingham. She began by talking about a really tough time in her life.

Dawn Stokes, ALW Award Winner:
I split up with my husband, and my dad was seriously ill. My dad was dying and he knew that I wanted to do brickwork and in the end he left me his tools, as if to say "go for it - do it", so I decided to do it.

Ed Meila:
How much of an extra incentive was that?

Dawn Stokes:
It was inspiring for me, because I left school with no qualifications. The only sort of jog I'd really be able to get would be a cleaning job. I wanted to build myself a good career, to look after my children, and be independent with out any help, and be a good role model for them so I decided to just try and change my life.

I started ringing round colleges, and knocking on doors to get onto courses, and they were saying "three year wait", "two year wait", and I was saying "No, because of my age. I don't want to wait, I want it now." - typical woman - I wanted like yesterday. I kept nagging and nagging and ringing and trying and I went to the job centre and I begged the job centre to get me on courses and they were saying "Do hairdressing or something" and I was saying " I don't want to do hairdressing, I want to do brick work, or I want to do plastering, or something like that". The man at the job centre's my friend now, and he said I'm a little inspiration to him - I'm his little hero.

He managed to get me course in the end on civil engineering. I came the the centre here to do a little taster course. It wasn't what I wanted to do, but it was a taster course to give me a chance to see what it would be like, try it and see how I get on, as I didn't have a lot of confidence, and low self esteem and because I'd been through a divorce.

Every day I was just watching the brick layers - just fascinated. It's amazing what they could do with bricks. I passed civil engineering course, it was only like a taster course (block paving and slabbing) but I really, really enjoyed it.

Ed Meila:
Brick Laying is a very male dominated industry, so how did it feel as a woman coming into it?

Dawn Stokes:
I was more nervous of stepping over the gates and seeing how I'd fit in but everybody made me feel welcome. The lads treated me like one of the lads and it was like an extended part of my family. It just enjoyed every single day, I just loved it.

Ed Meila:
So what re you doing now?

Dawn Stokes:
I'm doing level 2 brick work, and I've nearly passed plastering as well. The college have promised me a job, so I'll be a demonstrator which I really would enjoy.

Ed Meila:
How does that feel knowing that that sort of job is within your grasp.

Dawn Stokes:
Terrifying (laughs). No but really, really lovely as well. Unbelievable.

Ed Meila:
What's the Dawn like - the Dawn who came in here today, compared with the Dawn who sat outside on the first morning before you started?

Dawn Stokes:
I'm completely different now. I'm just amazed with what I've achieved. My kids are proud, my mum cries -she can't believe it. Yea, I'm really, really happy.

Ed Meila:
I was going to ask you about the kids. What's their reaction been?
Dawn Stokes:
They are over the moon, their proud. And it's good as well because there is no discrimination in my house - I wouldn't car if my son's done balet, or my daughters done brick work.

Ed Meila:
What would you say to someone who's thinking about following their dream but perhaps think that they haven't got the talent or the confidence to do it?

Dawn Stokes:
I think the worse part is just walking in. But once you done it, just stick it. It's a bit scary at first but once you are over the door and you start it's amazing what you can do.

There's been times when I've wanted to walk, but I've just thought "I'll stick it" and I have and I've passed everything and it's really nice, and we need more women doing it, we really do. That's would make me more happy (laughs).

Ed Melia:
What are your hopes for the future? What are you plans?

Dawn Stokes:
I'd love to become a proper tutor - pass everything and become a tutor - to get more brick layers and plasterers and people to follow their dreams and I'd love to be able to help more people, male or female, know that I've put them out there on building sites and encourage them.

Ed Melia:
What do you think your dad's thinking of you now?

Dawn Stokes:
He'd be smiling down proud as punch he would.

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