Derby student’s award triumph
Posted on June 29th, 2007
A Derby man has scooped the prestigious Progressive Learner of the Year title in the learndirect Achievement Awards for the East Midlands region.
Christopher Wilson studied at the Derby learndirect centre operated by Business Advice Direct (BAD) to improve his job prospects after being made redundant from a building site - and ended up working for a firm of solicitors!
Following his success, Chris will go on to represent BAD in the national finals at The Globe Theatre in London on 15th October.
Christopher, who received his award at a ceremony held at the Showcase Cinema in Nottingham on Thursday (21st June), was in his early 20s when he called into BAD Derby after being made redundant. He was hoping to gain his CSCS Card, which demonstrates health and safety competency, in order to return to the construction industry.
But within a few weeks he realised the benefit of further study and he went on to take English level 1 and level 2 and he was just about to sit his maths tests when he was offered work as a data inputter at a local firm of solicitors.
He was nominated for the award by BAD Derby tutor Tony Goodman, who is delighted at his student’s outstanding success.
“Considering Christopher’s initial aspirations I feel that the enormous boost to his confidence gained by his study at learndirect and the fact that he gained work at a firm of solicitors is very noteworthy,” said Tony.
“I am delighted that he won the Progressive Learner of the Year Award – especially so because it is so well deserved. He is an excellent student who has achieved deserved success both at work and on a personal level and everyone at BAD is thrilled to have been part of his success. “
BAD Managing Director Richard Hallam, who is based at New Mills in Derbyshire, said he was very pleased with the success that the Derby centre was enjoying and glad that Christopher’s commitment to learning had been recognised.
“The beauty of BAD is that we can work with learndirect to help people improve their prospects in life,” he said. “It is very rewarding when we see students go on to achieve great things, and I wish Christopher all the best in his future career.”
Head of Funded Learning Fiona Wright added: “I am very proud of the staff at BAD Derby who have not only helped Christopher achieve his aims but also spotted his potential and nominated him for the award. Many of our students come to the centres with very modest targets in mind and soon find that in the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of BAD they gain the confidence to aim higher. We are delighted that Christopher is now going on to the Award finals and we wish him every success.”
