Learner Profile 3

 

Ambreen, HND in Computing Student and Learning Support Worker

Ambreen is a 23 year old British Indian woman whose parents originated in India. Her dad is now a retired factory worker and her mum is a housewife. Neither her mum nor dad have any recognised UK qualifications. She is currently living at home with her parents and one brother. Born in the UK and educated in Gloucester at a girls’ high school, Ambreen then moved on to take an NVQ 2 in Childcare, which she didn’t, in the end, complete and another NVQ 2 in Administration.

At Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology (Gloscat) Ambreen achieved City and Guilds IT Levels 2 and 3 and, advised by her City and Guilds tutor, progressed to an Higher National Diploma (HND) in computing, wanting to further her IT knowledge and skills. The Learning and Skills Council paid her tuition fees for the HND, which was a real help. So far she has completed her first year, with one credit and five passes. She also took GCSE English through distance learning with Gloscat so that she would be sure her English was sound for jobs in the future.

In fact Gloscat has provided her with a work opening already, as a part-time Learning Support Worker, which fits in with her full-time study, and she hopes to go on to teach IT to adults. She has become an informal guide to other young people, “telling people about the course.” It’s often the case that, once adults get into learning, they are often keen to share what they have gained with others.

Ambreen believes that the structure of the HND course has helped her learn and develop at her own speed as well as enabling her to do her Learning Support job. “I want to be able to continue my studies if I can”, says Ambreen, and she puts her success so far down to “My tutors and my two older brothers.”

Ambreen believes that a key to getting young people interested in learning and to keeping them going is that the learning “needs to be kept interesting.” Her story emphasises the importance of family and tutor support and encouragement and also shows that you can get into higher education in your local further education college where it will be possible to take courses where you can work on programmes which are seen as leading to worthwhile careers.

 

Contact Details

Katie Essex
Gloscat