Adult Learners' Week nominations closed Wednesday, January 25, 2012 - 12:19

Nominations for the 2012 Adult Learners' Week Awards are now closed. NIACE is now processing the hundreds of nominations received in order to kick-start the rigorous short-listing process.

Adult Learners' Week Awards identify people who have used learning to help them transform their lives, often beyond what they ever thought was possible. Awards are also given to innovative projects that provide adults with the opportunity to learn and improve their lives and the lives of their families and communities.

Neil Scales, OBE, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, said:

"Merseytravel is passionate about learning, because we know that it has so many diverse benefits for the individuals and for the organisation as a whole. When people learn new skills they also gain confidence, improve their job prospects, develop new insights into the world around them and can take great pride in their achievement. Other people around them become motivated by this example, and so one person's success can inspire many others to follow a similar path. This is one of the reasons Merseytravel is always keen to nominate learners for awards - their success is a beacon to others both inside and outside the organisation."

John Curry, Course Leader, BSc Computing, City of Bath College, said:

"As a lecturer I often feel humbled by the sheer determination of some students to strive to achieve. To these individuals, each setback is merely another challenge to be overcome. I nominated such an outstanding student, Fran Bunce, in 2011. The short video clip of her story in her own words has been used hundreds of times as part of the recruitment process for our computing course and we believe it has helped inspire some non-traditional learners to make that leap of faith and enter higher education."

David Hughes, NIACE Chief Executive, said:

"The nominations we receive each and every year tell the many and varied stories of adults who have the motivation, desire and dedication to improve their lives through learning. Whether that's for a new job or career, to help their children or grandchildren with their schoolwork or simply to learn more about something they're interested in."

"The Adult Learners' Week Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of adults, giving them the recognition they deserve. And, in turn, the winners become inspirational role models, encouraging many more people to take up learning. So, if you know an outstanding adult learner, nominate them for an Adult Learners' Week Award."