LARNE BARLOW - AAT Accounting Intermediate
Larne Barlow, aged 20 from Wolstanton is an Assistant Accountant for NHS Stoke-on-Trent. After gaining two A’s and a B in her A Levels at Newcastle Sixth Form Centre, she has gone on to do an AAT intermediate accounting course at the College through work-based learning.
Larne said: “When I finished my A Levels I wanted to gain hands on experience of accounting and I knew I wouldn’t get that experience at university. I talked it over with my tutors and they suggested the AAT route as an alternative. With AAT I get an industry-recognised qualification, hands on experience in the workplace and a good income without incurring all the debts that come with going to university.
“My tutors are great and I’ve been able to mould my qualifications to meet the needs of my employer. What’s more the College was able to access funding from the government, which meant neither me nor my employer, had to pay anything for my training”
She added: “After I’ve finished the AAT course I’m planning to continue studying at Newcastle College for my ACCA or CIMA qualification”.
MICHELLE WRIGHT - Level 2 Numeracy
Michelle Wright, aged 39 from Chesterton, has recently passed an Entry Level course in Numeracy and is now studying for a Level 1 qualification. She enrolled on the course so that she would be better able to help her 10-year-old daughter with her maths homework.
She said: "My daughter would ask me to help her, but I knew I couldn't and told her to ask her dad instead. I knew I needed to do something. It was a big step for me to do the course but I don't regret it one bit. I can now help my daughter with her homework and will finally achieve a recognised qualification."
SHARON OLDFIELD - Access to Higher Education
38-year-old mum Sharon Oldfield, from Silverdale, worked in various jobs after leaving school but always craved a career as a midwife. After making the decision to retrain, she applied for the Access to Higher Education course at Newcastle College. Almost two years on, Sharon is celebrating after being accepted onto a degree in midwifery at Chester University.
She said: “With three young children plus four step children to bring up, I felt I didn’t have time for a career, but after having my third child I decided that it was now or never and it’s a decision I have never regretted. I now feel like I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I’m the first person in my family ever to apply for a degree. It’s such a fantastic opportunity so grab it with both hands.”
MATT KELLY - NVQ 3 in Business Administration
28-year-old Matt Kelly is a manager at Fenton-based company Care-Knight Ltd. With the support of his employer, he has successfully completed an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration through free on-the-job training.
Matt said: “The training was really useful - it helped me get a much better understanding of how to plan my work and manage people. There’s no doubt that doing the training has made me more confident and I’d definitely recommend it.”
FAY JOHNSON - FD in Creative Arts for Employment
Mother-of-two Fay Johnson, from Tunstall, was working as a bar manager for a hotel when a road traffic accident changed her life forever. Wheelchair bound and unable to work the 38-year-old felt her career was over. Then, one day, she saw an advert for a Preliminary Arts course at Newcastle-under-Lyme College.
After completing the course, Fay applied for the Foundation Degree in Creative Arts for Employment. At the end of the course, she hopes to be accepted by the University to complete her full honours degree and get a step closer to realising her ambition of owning a gallery.
Fay said: “My accident was a blessing in disguise as it made me realise what I wanted to do with my life. Coming back to college was the best thing I ever did, my confidence has increased and I’m finding my own independence. The best thing is the enjoyment I get from achieving something and I know I will carry on learning for the rest of my life.”