Level 3 Award in Education and Training
"You have to embrace the challenge, prepare yourself for the commitment, time and effort for the self-studying required and you will most importantly enjoy the learning experience."
When it comes to training and education providers James “Jimmy” Riley, 50 is in the know. As Wincanton’s Driver Training and Development Manager, Jimmy has well established relationships and links with the many providers locally, but when it came to focussing on his own personal development and training to progress in his career, he looked no further than St Helens College.
Leaving school with few qualifications, Jimmy from North Liverpool started a career in warehousing and distribution going on to obtain an LGV licence in 1999. Following several years as a driver Jimmy progressed after becoming interested in the health and safety aspects of the job. Opportunities presented themselves to progress into risk assessment, accident investigation and Road Traffic Accident (RTA) collision investigation and eventually in LGV driver training.
However, Jimmy was keen to get some recognised qualifications under his belt. Jimmy finds meeting new people, discovering their backgrounds and the interaction a key foundation in having successful learning experience and with this in mind Jimmy decided to undertake a professional qualification and enrolled onto the Level 3 award in Education and Training course at St Helens College. The course introduces students to a teaching qualification that has been developed to give them knowledge related to teaching and learning, at the same time developing their own personal growth and engagement in teaching and learning. Jimmy says, “The course was a great foundation for my present career and it gave me the confidence to go on and attend other courses.”
Jimmy enjoyed his time at St Helens College, “In general, any representative of the college that I have had the experience of meeting in either a professional or student capacity has always been approachable, friendly and accommodating.
Jimmy enjoys the everyday challenges that his job presents and is constantly looking to develop and explore new initiatives as part of continuous improvement. Jimmy says, “I would like to be continue progressing in my position and continue to enjoy all learning experiences and make the most of all possible the career and learning opportunities that may present themselves in the future.”
Offering advice to other individuals looking to get back into education, Jimmy says “You have to embrace the challenge, prepare yourself for the commitment, time and effort for the self-studying required and you will most importantly enjoy the learning experience.”
Jimmy is just one of hundreds of adult learners to who have made the most of opportunities available to them. You’re never too old to learn, you never know where it could lead and the career journey you could experience.
For further information on a range of adult courses visit sthelens.ac.uk/adults.
