Two students from Coleg Gwent’s Ebbw Vale Campus are celebrating their success after winning top honours at the annual Blaenau Gwent Adult Learner of the Year Awards last week.
The winning students, both studying BTEC National Award Business and Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification, were chosen by the Blaenau Gwent Learning Festival Group for Adult Learners’ Week and presented with awards by the Mayor of Blaenau Gwent in a special ceremony at Llanhilleth Miners Institute.
Timothy Morris, 34 from Ebbw Vale was named joint Adult Learner of the Year which recognised his outstanding commitment to his studies despite suffering from severe epilepsy. He said: “I didn’t expect to win – I’m delighted and proud to win the award.”
The Sarah Cholewka Award for a Junior Learner was awarded to Candice Gunter, who juggles being a single parent with her studies at Coleg Gwent and a part-time job. Candice, 24 from Ebbw Vale said: “I was totally surprised to receive an award. I couldn’t be at the ceremony on the night, but it’s meant a lot to me and really boosted my confidence.”
Their nominator and course tutor Sarah Adlam said: “Both students put an enormous amount of effort into their studies whilst overcoming some pretty tough circumstances. They thoroughly deserved to win their awards and be recognised for their hard work – we are very proud of them.”
