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Determination wins Habib top award of Blaenau Gwent’s Adult Learner of the Year 2009

Habib Bourennani knew little English and had no computer qualifications when he moved to the South Wales Valleys to work in a factory.

Now the Algerian born and raised Habib has been named Blaenau Gwent’s Adult Learner of the Year 2009.

Habib moved to Brynmawr and was working shifts at a factory – but since becoming an adult learner he has gained qualifications and now has a job in health and social care.

He joined the computer and English classes at the Brynmawr Learning Action Centre – gaining English language skills and IT qualifications. WEA tutor Judith Wilding was so impressed by his enthusiasm and commitment that she nominated him for the top adult learner award.

As part of  Blaenau Gwent’s Adult Learners’ Week a series of awards were made to honour the achievements of adult learners across the county borough.

Blaenau Gwent Council’s Executive Member for Leisure and Culture, Coun Jason Owen said:

“Congratulations to Habib, who is a very worthy winner of this award after showing great determination to complete these classes despite English not being his first language.

“Habib has really fitted into the local community in Brynmawr and I’m told has even offered to help out French students in the area as this is his first language.

“The Adult Learners’ Awards are a fitting end to a great week of events in Blaenau Gwent. This is our chance to reward those people who have proved you’re never too old to learn new skills by taking advantage of the courses on offer right here in our communities.”

Hundreds of people from across Blaenau Gwent took part in activities to mark Adult Learners Week. They joined in events like a Welsh day school, health and wellbeing sessions, yoga,  the Blaenau Gwent Welsh challenge, a Salsa evening and, finally, a great family fun and learning day at Festival Park in Ebbw Vale.

Blaenau Gwent Council’s libraries also hosted a series of events including CV writing; jobsearching sessions; an open mic evening; history talks and a family history day.

Habib was presented with his prize by Mayor of Blaenau Gwent Coun Jen Morgan at the Blaenau Gwent adult learners’ awards held at Llanhilleth Institute.

The awards and the Adult learning Week were organised by Blaenau Gwent Community Learning Partnership - supported by Blaenau Gwent Council, NIACE Dysgu Cymru and the Welsh Assembly Government.

For more information about adult education courses in Blaenau Gwent you can contact the Learning Action Centres on: Abertillery – 01495 355896; Blaina – 01495 355807; Brynmawr – 01495 355595 or Ebbw Vale – 01495 303544.

The full list of winners at Blaenau Gwent Adult Learner Awards 2009 were:

• The Sarah Cholewka Award for Junior Learner – Kelly Llewellyn
  

• Senior Learner – William Holliday
  

• Learning Group  - ILS Cookery Winchestown (Joanne Phillips, James Todd, Amy Vaughan and Sally Ann Williams)
  

• Learners of Welsh – Welsh Sylfaen 2 at Ebbw Vale LAC (Robert Collier, Jeff Hill, Debbie Hunt, Alison Knapp, Stephen Lewis, Gerald Plummer, Marcia Price, Gwyn Richards, Lynne Sefton, David Ward and Amanda Smith)
  

• Learning Family – British Sign Language at Brynmawr LAC (Diane Smith, Tracy Smith, Annabelle Chaplin, Becky Healey and Gemma Dellow)
  

• Community Champions – The Challenger Family (Maureen Challenger, Lewis Challenger, Ella Challenger and Anthony Challenger)

• Higher Education Achievement Award – Jack Wanklyn (Community University of the Valleys)
  

 

 

Bridges into Work is an exciting new Project starting in Blaenau Gwent in Jan 09

Select the "Bridges into Work" tab on the left of this page for more info

 

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