Celebrating adult learners at this Welsh college

COLEG SIR GÂR OFFERS AN ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION COURSE TO HELP ADULTS PURSUE A DEGREE

AT COLEG Sir Gâr, there are definitely no age limits because lifelong learning means just that.

The college encourages mature applicants and as all learners are incredibly well-supported and nurtured; everyone has access to a dedicated support and mentoring team.

Read on to hear from some of Coleg Sir Gâr’s adult learners and graduates.

TRANSFORMING LIVES

Emma Jones, who completed an Access to Higher Education course, said: “I had little in the way of qualifications and had to take whatever job I could get which caused me to experience very little job satisfaction with little chance of improving my position.

“I became a mother at 19 and devoted my time to my daughter. When she started school, I felt I had lost my sense of identity and needed to do something to improve my situation, my sense of self-worth and my daughter’s lifestyle.

“I discovered that Coleg Sir Gâr offered an Access to Higher Education course for those wishing to pursue a degree.

“I was terrified as I had been out of education for eight years and still had no confidence in my academic abilities but I realised that I had to give this a go and at that time, I had no idea about how much my life was about to change.”

Emma progressed to study a BSC in psychology, an MSC in abnormal and clinical psychology, a PGCE and is now teaching at Coleg Sir Gâr where she started her return to education.

Similarly, Cathryn Gwynn undertook the Access to Higher Education at Coleg Sir Gâr before moving on to complete a BA (Hons) in Textiles.

Cathryn said: I was eager to see things in a new way, to be at the receiving end of tuition and enjoy the pleasure and challenge of learning a different skill and see what new direction might open up. The tutors were sympathetic, encouraging, open-minded and understanding.

“I’d say just do it, it’s such pleasure, it feeds the soul, and brings you into lovely groups of interesting and creative people. Of course it’s a challenge, and it calls for time and effort but it’s lovely to focus on something outside the demands and duties of daily life.”

Ivor Shears, who completed an Access to Higher Education course and a BA (Hons) in Fine Art, said: “I’ve worked in carpentry and building for most of my life, running my own business as well as other jobs so I’ve never seen myself as academic.

“But I absolutely loved writing essays and doing research and at Carmarthen School of Art, we have a great mix of ages and we get great support and experiences. “I was 70 when I joined, it’s such a learning curve and it’s not just about study. You’re never too old, if you say you are, you’ll never do anything. This is the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.” Other adult learners at Coleg Sir Gâr include photography graduate Tim Jenkins, who has been nominated for Best Single Documentary (domestic) in this year’s Grierson Awards 2020, also known as The British Documentary Awards, as well as for Best Director (factual) in this year’s BAFTA Cymru for his Cwmni Da, S4C film Eirlys, Tim a Dementia. A Coleg Sir Gâr counselling degree student who undertook a career change has achieved 100 percent attendance despite giving birth to her daughter, Astrid. Jennifer CavillFrysol completed an introduction to counselling course and from there, Jennifer applied for a degree and was supported by her tutors throughout.

FULLY FUNDED TRAINING

A new initiative called a Personal Learning Account (PLA) has been developed by the Welsh Government to address the barriers that face adult learning.

Colleges and training providers, including Coleg Ceredigion and Coleg Sir Gâr, are supporting the initiative by delivering flexible and funded learning plans.

Many adults are discouraged to take on a learning programme due to a lack of time or money, but this initiative aims to provide flexible and funded training within priority sectors.

This includes hospitality, retail, leisure, tourism, health, social care, childcare, food and landbased, financial and professional, digital and technology, creative industries, constructions, advanced materials, manufacturing and engineering.

The scheme is also designed to help provide a route for those who are looking for progression, providing a route out of in-work poverty.

If you are over 19 years old, earn less than £26,000 a year, and are in employment or furloughed, you are eligible for the scheme.

Jemma Parsons, business development officer at Coleg Ceredigion and Coleg Sir Gâr said: “Accessing free, part-time training to fit around people’s commitments and lifestyles, will help them gain qualifications and hopefully progress their careers.”

To find out more about any of the courses available at Coleg Sir Gâr, visit www.colegsirgar.ac.uk.