Windsor learner wins top national learning award

11/06/2009

Camari Babakobau, from Windsor, is celebrating her success today after winning an award at the national learndirect Achievement Awards Ceremony.

Camari Babakobau, from Windsor, is celebrating her success today after winning an award at the national learndirect Achievement Awards Ceremony.

Camari won the national Judging Panel Special Award, which recognises someone who the judging panel believes has shown a fantastic dedication to their own or others’ learning.

Despite losing her husband, Camari decided to face her challenges and move on in her life. She first came to learndirect through the Army Learning Centre in 2008, and was determined to learn new skills and achieve success from the start. Camari is truly an inspiration to others, juggling life as a single parent with dedication to her learning, and says her children’s futures are her priority. She has already gained new maths skills through learndirect, and is becoming more confident every day.

On winning the national award, Camari, said:

“I feel so proud of my achievement today. I felt I needed my own qualifications and experience to support myself in the future, but I didn’t do this just for myself – I did it for my two sons as well, and I think they’ll be very proud when I show them my national award!”

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.

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.”