Life-changing achievements of individuals, community projects and organisations were celebrated at the 2024 Inspire! Adult Learning Awards ceremony in Cardiff on Tuesday night, September 10.
A dozen award winners were recognised for their commitment to never stop learning and inspirational stories at the joyous ceremony held at The Coal Exchange, Cardiff.
A highlight of Adult Learners’ Week in Wales, held from September 9-15,the awards are co-ordinated by Learning and Work Institute with support from the Welsh Government.
Each Inspire! winner demonstrated how learning can offer second chances, help create new career opportunities, build confidence and help communities become vibrant and successful.
The winners included schoolteacher Inas Alali, who fled war-torn Syria with her two children following the death of her husband, to build a new life in her adopted country of Wales.
Inas, who lives in Cardiff, won the Different Past: Shared Futures Award. She was nominated by Cardiff Metropolitan University, which she describes as the “University of Sanctuary”, where she achieved her qualifications to teach in the UK.
She now teaches maths to adults for training provider ACT Training, whilst teaching Arabic part-time. Inspired by her father, she said she is setting no limits on what can be achieved through lifelong learning and she thanked the people who have supported her and made her family feel so welcome in Wales.
One of the biggest cheers of the night was reserved to Daniel Minty from Cardiff who has learnt to speak Welsh fluently within two years and is now Community Development Officer with Menter Iaith Casnewydd (Newport) where he speaks the language eight hours a day.
Winner of the Starting Out – Welsh Beginner Award, Daniel made an impassioned plea to employers to promote use of the language in the workplace and encouraged them to recruit Welsh learners even if in part-time or voluntary roles.
“These are the Inspire! Awards so let’s start inspiring other people to immerse themselves in the Welsh language so that they get the same opportunities that I have been given,” said Daniel who was nominated for the award by Learn Welsh Cardiff.
Another learner celebrating was Cardiff pensioner Tony Morton, who has graduated with a degree in history from the Open University at the age of 87.
The former Rolls Royce engineering apprentice, who went on to become managing director of a group of companies in North West England, began studying for a degree during the Covid pandemic lockdown three years ago.
He won the Ageing Well Award, having been nominated by his daughter, Diane Rees, who formerly worked for the Open University.
Another inspirational learner who has turned his life around is Isaac Fabb, 22, from Swansea. Having faced some of the toughest life challenges, he is now a role model for young people starting out in their careers.
Diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at 17, Isaac has overcome drug addiction and the loss of his brother-in-law to addiction to excel as a talented apprentice carpenter employed by Swansea City Council and a father of two children.
He won the Skills for Work Award, having been nominated by Gower College Swansea.
The other award winners were: Essential Skills for Life Award, Stephen Reynoldsfrom Newport who was nominated by GMB Union. Learning for Better Health Award, Eve Salter from Barry who was nominated by Cardiff and Vale College. Hywel Francis Award for Community Impact Award, Compass Community Hub, Merthyr Tydfil. Life Change & Progression Award, Daniel Morgan from Gorseinon who was nominated by Sgil Cymru. Workplace Change Makers Award, Innovate Trust/UNISON who were nominated by UNISON. Young Adult Learner Award, Sophie Dey from Llandrindod Wells who was nominated by NPTC. Highly Commended Awards, Alan Hardie from Gowerton who was nominated by City & County of Swansea Lifelong Learning Service and Lucy Willis from Cardiff who was nominated by Cardiff and Vale College.
For adults in Wales keen to start their learning journey, there are in-person taster courses and online sessions during Adult Learners’ Week and throughout September. Advice and information will be available locally to inspire people to take up learning as a way of increasing their employability, building life skills and improving their quality of life.
Find our more by contacting Working Wales on 0800 028 4844 or search www.workingwales.gov.wales.
Lynne Neagle, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Education, revealed that she has taken up the challenge to become an adult learner by signing up for a counselling course at Cardiff and Vale College this week.
“What a fantastic evening and what a privilege it has been for me to be part of this award ceremony,” she said. “It has been a brilliant opportunity not only to celebrate the achievements of learners but also to recognise the power that learning has to change lives.
“Congratulations to all the winners. Your tenacity, determination and courage is inspirational and I have been genuinely blown away by what I have heard this evening
“I am determined that Wales should be a place where everyone has the chance to return to learning and renew their career at whatever stage of life they are at. Adult Learners’ Week is a great opportunity to discover your passion for learning or brush up on your existing skills.
“I’d encourage anyone looking for support or change of direction to look at the support available. Learning as an adult is not only a great way to improve employability but is also a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, as well as boosting self-esteem and confidence.”
Joshua Miles, Learning and Work Institute Director, congratulated all the nominees and award winners, whom he described as some of Wales’ finest adult learners, and thanked them for sharing their inspiring stories.
“The award winners have overcome significant challenges, such as health issues, unemployment, low confidence, or caring responsibilities, and have transformed their lives through learning,” he said.
“In doing so, you have also inspired others to follow in their footsteps and have made a positive difference to communities across Wales. You are all real adverts for the transformational change that learning can have.
“Adult Learners’ Week is always a good time to reflect on the positive impact that learning can have. Learning is a lifelong journey that can enrich our lives in many ways.
“Now more than ever, it is important that we support and celebrate adults in Wales who return to learning later in life in the hope of a brighter future.”
He praised the Cabinet Secretary for Education for setting an good example by returning to learning herself during Adult Learners’ Week.
Picture caption:
The 2024 Inspire! Adult Learning Awards winners.
