- John Haldenby-Hill and Leigh Winn with their certificates presented to them by Stephen Gilbert MP and IT tutor Val Williams.
Truro and Penwith College Community Learning Centre in Newquay linked up with Stephen Gilbert MP for an event as part of Adult Learners’ Week.
The local MP for St Austell and Newquay visited the Centre to meet staff and students with focus on adult learning and achievement. Stephen toured the building to see the various opportunities available for learners, including Functional Skills courses. These start at entry level in English, Maths and Basic IT, with fee remission available for eligible students.
Keen to join in, Stephen Gilbert MP participated in an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class and asked English questions to student Alice Carta, as part of her conversation practice session with tutor Michelle Blacklock.
Chatting over coffee with students at the centre about their career hopes, Stephen Gilbert MP explained: “I am from a working class background myself and appreciate that for some people it’s not always easy to make the right choices, particularly returning to the education system. There is some help in funding adult education but it doesn’t suit everyone’s circumstances.”
Current student Callum Lewis Grover said: “I left school and attended the Community Learning Centre to brush up my IT skills. I’m planning to attend Truro College to study Business Studies.”
Stephen Gilbert MP presented certificates to IT students Leigh Winn and John Haldenby-Hill. John commented: “I started IT studies last year. The Centre allows me to come here when I can, as it’s important that I have the hours that suit my commitments as a carer.”
Free tea and cake was provided at the event and then Stephen enthusiastically participated in an interactive session called ‘10 Top Tips for interview’, offered to students who were seeking employment. The National Careers Service use the centre every few weeks and signpost students needing a careers interview. Students on courses who are based at Truro College can also use the chapel as a drop-in centre to study or complete assignments.
Madeline Richardson, who co-ordinated the event, said: “the students seemed impressed by Stephen’s down-to-earth manner; he offered to help a number of students via his local surgery. It was lovely to celebrate the achievements of our adult learners. I hope students in and around Newquay will continue to make use of the facilities at the centre.”
Source:
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