Northwich tutor wins top national learning award

11/06/2009

Northwich tutor Mark Littler is celebrating his success today after winning an award at the national learndirect Achievement Awards Ceremony.

Northwich tutor Mark Littler is celebrating his success today after winning an award at the national learndirect Achievement Awards Ceremony.

Mark Littler won the national Learner Support Award, which recognises learndirect staff and tutors who have provided outstanding customer care and tutor support for their learners.

Mark joined the VRDS learndirect centre in Northwich as a disabled volunteer in 2001. Despite having a university degree, he lacked confidence in his employment prospects. Whilst working at VRDS, he regained his self-esteem and worked hard to gain his NVQ assessor and teaching qualifications. He is now an expert in supporting disabled people to use new technology to get the most out of computers, so that they can take part with no barriers to their learning or their independence. learndirect has changed Mark’s life, and he is now changing the lives of hundreds of other disadvantaged people.

Collecting the national award on Mark’s behalf, Giles Fry said: “Mark is in a unique position to understand the needs of many disabled learners, and he uses his own experience to support them to get the most out of new technology.”

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.

Mark had previously won the Learner Support 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.”