From chamber maid to office manager – local woman wins ‘Learner of the Year’ award

30th June 2008

A South London resident is celebrating after she was crowned ‘Skills for Life Learner of the Year’ at the 2008 Skills for London Awards, held in June at London’s Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

Iwona Zamojska, 28, originally from Poland, but now living in Brixton, enrolled with local learning provider TBG Learning in March 2006 after struggling to find a suitable job due to her lack of English skills. She had been working as a chamber maid.

She passed several qualifications with TBG Learning and within just seven months was offered a job as an Office Manager for Molecular Solutions, a research company based in Central London. Her qualifications include Numeracy and Literacy Level 2, European Computer Driving Licence Level 2, and an IT NVQ Level 2.

TBG Learning Tutor Michael Davis commented on Iwona:

“Iwona was a very dedicated learner who met her deadlines when producing evidence for her qualification. She was an inspiration to other unemployed adults. She never gave up and has used her new qualifications and newly gained confidence to gain a better standard of living for herself and her family.”

Iwona commented on her award:

“When I came to London two years ago I was missing confidence in spoken and written English and I decided I had to do something about it. I feel like I am now a professional employee with a competitive but interesting background. I would like to say thank you to TBG Learning and all of the teachers and advisors who have helped me. Thanks to you I have built my confidence and have achieved my goal”.

Over 100 candidates were shortlisted for the awards, which were organised by the Learning and Skills Council and presented by TV celebrity Fearne Cotton, and Skills Minister David Lammy MP.

TBG Learning, which has 7 centres in London, also won ‘Provider of the Year’ for its success in transforming people’s lives through learning.

For more information about TBG Learning call into the centre in Ellerslie Square, on Lyham Road, or call 0207 274 4106.