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Deadline for Adult Learners’ Week Awards Extended
Due to the unprecedented number of enquiries for this year’s Adult Learners’ Week awards, the organisers, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) has decided to extend the deadline date for nominations forms by one week – to Friday 28th January 2005.
Staff at NIACE’s Campaigns and Promotions Team have been staggered by the sheer volume of calls and entries they have received and believe that this could be a record year for entries.
Francisca Martinez, Campaigns Officer at NIACE, said:
“Every year we receive hundreds of nominations from people across the country for our Adult Learners’ Week awards. But this year it seems to be especially popular. Nomination forms are coming in from all corners of the country and our phones are ringing constantly because people are anxious to know how to nominate someone and when their forms have to be sent in. We have had to call extra staff in to cope. Because of this we thought it was best to put the deadline back a week so we can get the widest selection of learners and providers to choose from.”
Some of the organisations who have already nominated learners for this year’s Adult Learners’ Week awards spoke of their enthusiasm for what the awards represent.
Jayne Howle, the Training and Development Manager at Birmingham International Airport, said:
“As a keen supporter of adult learning Birmingham International Airport Ltd has nominated a number of employees for the adult learning awards. We have employees engaged in a wide variety of occupational areas from aviation fire-fighters to administrative trainees where learning is fundamental to maintaining and developing their vocational skills.”
Roz Tarry, Carers’ Project Co-ordinator from The National Extension College (NEC), said:
“We nominate students for Adult Learners’ Week awards as we feel it is tremendous recognition for their achievements, often in very difficult circumstances. This is particularly the case with students who are carers or who have disabilities.
Distance learning, which NEC offers, is never the easy option for anybody whatever their circumstances and these awards offer us a chance to show students that their outstanding efforts are appreciated not only by us, but by the wider world. It is a wonderful boost to a student’s confidence and often gives them the incentive to go on.”
Peter Davies, the Principal of the City Lit Institute in London, said:
“There's nothing like being nominated for an award to make learners feel supported and confident. We always encourage our tutors to put someone forward. Adult Learners' Week is a great way of celebrating achievement across the country, but we find that it also helps to raise the profile of the City Lit itself.”
Francisca Martinez ended:
“It’s not too late to enter a learner or an organisation for the Adult Learners’ Week awards. Please call NIACE’s Campaigns and Promotions team on 0116 204 4200 for a nomination form – or visit our website, www.niace.org.uk/alw - and the learner or organisation you know could be receiving a national award and the recognition they deserve in May.”
Nomination Forms can be downloaded here
 | Source: NIACE Press Release: "Deadline for Adult Learners' Week Awards Extended" (PDF file) Released On 17/01/2005 |
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NIACE says BBC could do more to promote adult learning
A briefing note has been published which identifies the most significant issues for NIACE as it seeks to influence discussions about the current BBC Charter in ways that will improve, increase or extend opportunities for adults who wish to use the Corporation’s services for learning.
Overall, NIACE is supportive of the BBC and of the continuation of the licence fee but argues:
| that the Corporation neither spends enough on, nor gives sufficient airtime to, adult learning and |
| does not always do the right things in the right places with the resources it does spend. |
NIACE calls for a substantial increase in spending on educational programming, rising over the life of any new Charter and a consequential increase in the amount of airtime devoted to such programmes which include both formal and educative programmes and which reflect the changing demographic profile of the UK.
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Carry Through Your Resolution – Sign Up Now To Learning
Every January thousands of adults across the country hope their New Year’s resolutions will give them the chance to improve their careers, their health or their social lives. As part of its national Sign Up Now campaign, NIACE says you can do all three by taking up learning.
Well known TV gardener, Charlie Dimmock, is supporting NIACE to encourage more adults to Sign Up Now. She says, “Learning is all about finding out new things, exploring new and exciting ideas, taking up challenges and most of all having fun at the same time.”
Details about a whole range of different courses – from acupuncture to zoology - will be available at local colleges or by calling the free learning advice line, learndirect, on 0800 100 900.
Adults who have already benefited from learning include:
| Raymond Jeffrey, from Manchester, who said, “I have more confidence, I feel better about myself and have been given the push to carry on studying.” |
| Jim Davies, from Oxford, who said, “My life and my family’s life is changing for the better. We talk a lot more and do things more together than we did before I went back to learning.” |
| Allison Munro, from Redcar, who said, “I bought a PC for my children but realised I knew nothing about computers. I also wanted to learn some skills for myself. My confidence has increased and I am now able to help my children with their homework.” |
| Tracey Smith, from Kent, who said, “I have gained more confidence and want to encourage other adults like me to go back into education. If I can do it so can they – it’s never too late.” |
| Ronald Rosser, from the Isle of Wight, who said, “It has built up my self-esteem and self-worth. When I was given the certificate I felt really happy and it made me want to learn something else.” |
| Merry Thompson, from Lincolnshire, who said, “I have much more self-respect and confidence now. I felt for once that ‘I’ mattered. Learning has given me something to aim for.” |
| Robert Boyd, from Devon, who said, “My life needed a change in direction and I found it in the magic of my first computer class. The loneliness of ignorance has lifted. I have made more friends and have more interests now and have developed in confidence. I encourage others to follow this route.” |
Rachel Thomson, Senior Campaigns Officer at NIACE, said:
“Anyone at any age can feel as if they’re too old to make changes in their lives. But learning is something which can transform your life at any age or any stage. It’s never too late to start and the New Year is an ideal time to enjoy new things. Learning something can steer your life in the direction you want it to go in.”
She ended:
“Whatever the reason why you want to learn, learning can open many doors for you. To find out what's on offer where you are, call learndirect free on 0800 100 900. That call could get 2005 off to the best possible start.”
| Source: NIACE Press Release: "Carry Through Your Resolution – Sign Up Now To Learning" (PDF file) Released On 13/12/2004 |
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