A brand new Learndirect centre has opened in the West End Community Centre. On offer is a huge range of courses via the Learndirect portfolio providing an opportunity to study in a relaxed, friendly environment: at the learner’s own pace and in the learner’s own time. The tutors encourage learners to assess their own levels of literacy and numeracy with a view to gaining a nationally recognised qualification. They also offer courses in Computing and Management.
One local person, Andrew Schuyler or ‘Sky’ as he likes to be called, has benefited from the KTD Learning Centre.
Eight years ago, after a run of bad luck, Sky was homeless, living in a bus shelter in the West End of Morecambe and in his own words ‘was written off’.
Determined to get his life back on track he started work as a volunteer for Homeless Action and Furniture Matters, two charity organisations working with the homeless.
From there, Sky moved on to work in the café at Ridge Lea Psychiatric Hospital and quickly became a member of bank staff, working on all the wards and gaining experience.
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Staff were so impressed with his progress that after a month he was offered a permanent position and decided that a career in nursing was for him. He went on to complete an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care in a record-breaking eighteen weeks.
As part of his university application, Sky needed a GSCE Level 2 equivalent in numeracy. He joined KTD Learning Centres and undertook brush up courses and test preparation, successfully completing his national test in five weeks.
Sky is now enrolled on a three year nursing diploma course at Bristol University. As he says in his own words, ‘I have come from a very dark background. My success has come through the support of people like KTD who have helped me through and given me the encouragement to succeed’.
If you are interested in returning to learning please contact the KTD Learning Centre at the West End Community Centre, telephone: 01524 426142.
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