30 June 2015
The Education Learning Centre’s Lifelong Learning Awards were celebrated on Wednesday 24 June 2015. Presenting the awards were Councillors Christine Scipio-O’Dean, Nigel Dollery, Dr Corrinda Essex, together with Dr Niall O’Keefe, Head of Enterprise St Helena.
Awards were presented for Functional Skills in Mathematics and English, GCSE English, AS Design & Technology, Business Management, NVQ’s in Business & Administration, Unit Certifications in Health & Social Welfare, Environmental Conservation, and Professional Cookery.
Director of Education, Shirley Wahler, commented in her speech on the importance of lifelong learning in a small community like St Helena – offering a diverse range of qualifications for a diverse range of candidates. She said:
“You hear a lot about sustainable development and building the economy, but a sustainable economy depends on developing the people of the Island. It takes a lot to go into training as an adult, where you have effectively put your school days behind you. But when you commit to further developing yourself, you are also improving the Island and the community, and you are setting a very positive example for those still at school.”
Assistant Director of Lifelong Learning Services, Kerry Yon, spoke of the importance of gaining certificates in Functional Skills:
“For some awardees this is the first chance to gain internationally accredited qualifications in their lives and this programme provides them with an opportunity to enhance both their work and their interpersonal skills.”
Dr Corrinda Essex offered her congratulations to all candidates and added that receiving qualifications is a tremendous milestone in anyone’s life that should be celebrated.
Kerry Yon extended thanks to employers, assessors, tutors and internal quality assurers for their dedication in assisting candidates. Kerry ended the ceremony offering a quote from Harry S Truman:
‘It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.’
Two pictures are attached.
SHG
30 June 2015