Gateshead learning champion wins top national learning award
11/06/2009
Gateshead learning champion Ian Thompson is celebrating his success today after winning an award at the national learndirect Achievement Awards Ceremony.
Gateshead learning champion Ian Thompson is celebrating his success today after winning an award at the national learndirect Achievement Awards Ceremony.
Ian Thompson won the national unionlearn Award, which recognises Union members who have taken a learndirect course to develop their career, or those who have encouraged others to take a learndirect course.
Ian is currently employed by Gentoo in Sunderland. He had no formal qualifications when he left school, and was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was 30. Having arrived in the North East in 2000, he soon joined Gentoo, and later became a Unionlearn Rep in 2007. He has not only undertaken courses at the St Thomas Street learndirect centre in Sunderland, but has also completed an NVQ and a construction qualification. He has played a big part in getting well over 400 colleagues involved in learning opportunities, not hesitating to direct them straight to learndirect as their first port of call.
On winning the national award, Ian said:
“I left school with no qualifications – I was left at the back of the class and I felt that teachers forgot about me. I’ve achieved so much with learndirect, and as a union rep I’ve passed on my experiences and enthusiasm for learning to my colleagues.”
The learndirect Achievement Awards, now in their third year, celebrate learners who are going that extra mile to learn new skills, businesses whose employees are gaining new qualifications, and the people and centres supporting them. The Awards recognise people from all walks of life, for example learners who have overcome personal difficulties or have returned to learning after many years, and businesses working with learndirect to train their workforce.
Ian had previously won the unionlearn Award at the North East regional learndirect Achievement Awards in June.
TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, who presented the awards with his wife Ruth Langsford said:
"Ruth and I are both delighted to support the learndirect Achievement Awards. We have worked with learndirect in the past to highlight the difference learning can make to people’s lives, and have seen first-hand how learners from across the UK are boosting their skills, improving their job prospects and becoming more confident. All the finalists are truly inspiring, and we were honoured to help celebrate their success at the national learndirect Achievement Awards ceremony.”
Chief Executive of learndirect, Sarah Jones said:
“The national winners and highly commended finalists have shown exceptional determination, and have gone that extra mile to learn new skills and improve their qualifications, or have supported others to achieve their goals. These finalists are an inspiration to millions of learners, support staff and businesses across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and truly deserve recognition.”