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Adult learners applauded

09 May 2008

 

Juggling a full-time job with studying and being mum to two teenagers led Jo Busby to win a regional adult learners award.

Jo, 36, of Middlesbrough was nominated for the NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) Regional Individual Learner Award after completing Summer University courses at the University of Teesside.

The mum-of-two signed up for free courses in Learning and Study Skills and Writing and Essay Skills as a tentative step back into education.

It led her to a year-long Access to Health Science course, which she completes at Middlesbrough College in June. She now aims to progress to the Paramedic Science degree at the University.

Jo works for the North East Ambulance Service, providing A&E support on the road, but her aim is to become a paramedic. Having left school at 16 with no qualifications Jo realised a return to study was needed to achieve her dream.

She said: ‘I really enjoy my job and I progressed with ten years ambulance service experience, but I’ve always wanted to be a paramedic. To do that I realised I would need qualifications.’

And since completing the Summer University courses Jo hasn’t looked back. She was nominated by University tutor after Norma Sutcliffe, who said: ‘Jo proves that given the chance and the tools to learn, with encouragement and determination, educational ambitions can be achieved.’

Jo said: ‘It has been a struggle to juggle everything. When I heard I’d won the award it just made me want to do really well with my studies.’

With support from daughter Chloe, 16 and son Connor, 14, Jo also relied on her employer and colleagues to juggle her shifts to enable her to study. Jo will be among around 50 adult learners who completed courses at college and community centres in Middlesbrough will be honoured at an Adult Learners Week evening presentation at the University on Thursday, May 22. Jo will also attend a regional ceremony the following day in Newcastle.

A range of Adult Learners Week taster sessions will be held at the University from May 17 to 23 for people thinking of returning to education.

The University’s free Summer University runs in June, July and August, with the free courses also at Darlington College. For details of the taster sessions and Summer University call 01642 342291, email s.johnston@tees.ac.uk


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