NEW SKILLS HELP ANGELA RETURN TO NURSING

Thursday 23 June 2005

A woman who left nursing nineteen years ago due to industrial injury is fulfilling her dream to return to work. Angela Young from Colchester, who injured her back lifting a patient and has been out of work since, now feels ready to return. Her new confidence is a result of computer skills that she never believed she could get, until she discovered TBG Learning.

After being referred by Jobcentre Plus locally, Angela completed a ten week introduction to computers and then progressed to the European Computer Driving License – the internationally recognised qualification that shows employers your competence in computers.

“I can’t believe how much I’ve learnt. It’s only when you look back that you realise, and it’s given me so much more confidence. Nurses now need computer skills and I’m grateful to TBG Learning for giving me this real chance of getting back in. I’ve just been interviewed by APU in Chelmsford for the ‘Return to professional practice’ nursing course and if I get through that I’ll start in September. Whatever happens now, I’ve got another feather in my cap”, said Angela who lives in Lexden.

Over 250 people are currently signed up to a free computer course at the TBG Learning centre, which offers everything from ‘switching on’ for the complete beginner to the advanced level European Computer Driving License, for which TBG Learning is a recognised test centre. Courses run in the day, evening and at week-ends and are tutored by highly qualified staff. A further 100 people are dropping in to use the learndirect suite, where they can use computers to do online courses at any time.

All courses are free to learners because they are funded through the Learning and Skills Council and through TBG Learning’s other local partners, Colchester Institute and Jobcentre Plus. All the courses lead to nationally recognised qualifications and are helping to achieve Government targets of raising skill and qualification levels.