Manchester learner wins top national learning award

11/06/2009

Manchester learner Jason Pennington is celebrating his success today after winning an award at the national learndirect Achievement Awards Ceremony.

Manchester learner Jason Pennington is celebrating his success today after winning an award at the national learndirect Achievement Awards Ceremony.

Jason Pennington won the national Outstanding Learner Award, which recognises learners who overcome difficulties to succeed and have inspired others to use learndirect.

After being in an accident when he was eight years old, Jason fell into a coma that lasted more than three months. When he awoke he had total amnesia. He was not able to reach his full potential at school, having to re-learn every life skill. He experienced ongoing problems as a result of the accident throughout his life, and when he became unemployed recently, he decided to enrol with learndirect in Stretford to try to gain some qualifications. He worked extremely hard on his courses, and was referred to Remploy for further training and help with job hunting. Recently, Jason was able to tell his tutors the fantastic news that he had been offered a job with the Royal Mail.

On winning the national award, Jason said:

“I’ve achieved this with a lot of determination and with a lot of help. I’ve just got a new job so I feel great – learndirect really has changed my life.”

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.

Jason had previously won the Outstanding Learner Award at the North West regional learndirect Achievement Awards in July.

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.”