Derby Celebrates Learning Success

11 April 2008
The determination of many individuals to improve their lives through learning was on show in Derby last night (10 April) as 150 people gathered for a major celebration of achievement.

Independent training company TBG Learning, whose centre is in Gower Street, Derby, held the event to recognise and reward the achievement of their learners, whose family and friends attended to watch the presentation of certificates and enjoy a free raffle with prizes donated by local companies.

For many it was the first ever qualification they have gained. Amongst these was single mum Amanda Keeling who was recognised as the ‘Outstanding Learner of the Year’ on the Jobcentre Plus New Deal training programme. Amanda, aged 24, had left school at 14 and has two children aged nine and six. She said: “I love what I’m doing. I’ve come out of myself and grown in confidence since I’ve been attending TBG Learning and am doing all the hours I can at the centre during the school day so that I can achieve my qualifications. I also love the weekly workshop on careers help.”

Amanda has gained a Level 1 in Literacy in just two months and will soon achieve her Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE). She then plans to continue on and gain numeracy and IT qualifications. TBG Learning will help her to fulfil her new ambition of becoming a support worker.

TBG Learning has been established for over ten years in the heart of the Derby City Centre providing education and training for all the local communities. It is focused upon the needs of disadvantaged people, particularly the unemployed, and reflects the demographic of the city.

At any one time some 300 people are enrolled on TBG courses, funded by Jobcentre Plus, University for Industry, Learning and Skills Council and Derby College, who are a long term partner. Over 900 jobs have been achieved by learners over the past 12 months, as well as 306 qualifications and 932 work experience placements arranged.

Telephone TBG Learning Derby on 01332 202 828 or drop into the centre at St Peter’s House, Gower Street.

Courses include Entry to Employment (16-18 year olds), English for Speakers of Other Languages, Basic IT, Business Administration, Literacy, Numeracy, Jobcentre Plus New Deal training (for which TBG Learning is the prime contractor in Derbyshire) and Learndirect Programmes.

TBG Learning Derby is the largest centre currently offering training opportunities for New Deal customers for whom qualifications in areas such as Retail, Administration, Hospitality, Customer Service, Warehousing, and Literacy and Numeracy are available. It also works closely with local employers to offer Apprenticeships and Train to Gain.

Representatives from Jobcentre Plus, Derby College and Learndirect attended the event, which concluded with a raffle for which learners were given free tickets. Prizes were sponsored by local companies including BT and included laptop computers, a DVD player, mobile phones, an MP3 player, Ricky Hatton gloves and McLaren Formula One memorabilia.