2010 – record nominations for ALW Awards Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 17:03

A grand total of 1483 Adult Learners' Week Award nominations have been received for 2010, with a large increase in nominations from the London region. Family award nominations have doubled since 2009 and Opening Doors award nominations have increased to 120 from 86 in 2009. 2010 has also seen a significant increase in nominations made online.

After a thorough short-listing process in February, the best nominations will be taken to Regional and National Selection Panels in early March. Each of the panels will select regional winners and will recommend the winners for national awards. The National Confirmation Panel will then meet in mid-March to confirm national award winners and all winners will be notified shortly afterwards.

Learning really does transform lives, and learning new skills at a time of recession can help people to retain their jobs or find a new one. Winners from last year's Adult Learners' Week include:

Richard John Stacey, from Sheffield, Regional Individual Award Winner, is profoundly deaf, yet has learnt to speak, lip read and sign, and has successfully completed a teacher training course at Sheffield Hallam University.

Richard said:

"The feeling of winning an award was amazing and it made me realise that I must not underestimate my ability to achieve more things...I want to pass on the many positive things I have learnt."

Rene Coles, from Cambridgeshire, Regional Individual Award Winner, decided to take her Maths GCSE when she was 39, helping her to change careers from a car park attendant to an adult tutor.

Rene said:

"Winning an award was an amazing experience for me. I felt honoured that someone believed in me and nominated me, recognising all my hard work."

Dane Phillips, from Hereford, European Social Fund Regional Award Winner, rarely attended school, feeling that he didn't fit in. Following over five years in the Army, he battled drinking and drugs problems, but eventually turned to learning and transformed his life.

Dane said:

"The award ceremony was a great day with many people who had such [different] stories to tell. My confidence and self-esteem have grown. I feel I now have a purpose to get out of bed and it is nice to have a job I enjoy."

Cath Mitchell, from Newcastle upon Tyne, Learning Through Technology Award Winner, had to leave work due to ill health, but found new skills for a new job through learning.

Cath said:

"I feel the award and presentation were a wonderful experience, but the knowledge of IT I now have is the best life-lasting award for me."

Gabriele Logrotteria, from London, Regional Individual Award Winner, came to the UK nine years ago barely knowing English, but is now on his way to becoming a Primary School Teacher.

Gabriele said:

"Winning an award was a confidence booster. It gave me the opportunity to feel proud of myself for all the hard work I have done in the last 5 years."

New Adult Learners' Week Awards will also be presented in 2010:

• the Digital Participation Award (sponsored by BBC) will recognise learning where the use of new technology has been central;
• the Intergenerational Award (sponsored by MLA) will award intergenerational learning in the Museums, Libraries and Archives sector;
• the Foundation Degree Forward Award (sponsored by FDF) will recognise an outstanding adult learner on an FDF programme;
• the European Social Fund (ESF) Awards will celebrate individuals, groups and projects that have learnt with support from the ESF;
• the Outstanding Achievement Award (sponsored by the National Open College Network) will recognise outstanding learning on an OCN programme;
• the Power of Reading Award (sponsored by Booktrust) will recognise where the pleasure of reading or writing has inspired or resulted in an outstanding learning journey; and
• the Transformation Fund Award will award learners who have received funding from the Government initiative.

Kamy Basra, Campaigns Officer at NIACE, said:

"Every year we receive nominations about inspirational and outstanding adult learners who have transformed their lives through learning. The awards celebrate their remarkable achievements, giving them the recognition they deserve. An Adult Learners' Week Award Winner can be a powerful advocate and an inspirational role model, encouraging thousands of others to take up learning."