The Learndirect national awards event, hosted by TV presenter Eammon Holmes and his wife Ruth Langsford, took place at London's Science Museum recently. The attendees included more than 90 learners and learning providers, who were regional winners at ceremonies over the summer. From these, there were ten national winners and 18 highly commended nominees.

The winner of the Progression Award, Carol Foley, trained at the White Lion training company, Corby, from October 2005 onwards. A single mother of three, she took the initiative to go back to training so that she was no longer dependent on state support.

After completing her level two adult literacy qualifications within two weeks, she went on to finish further IT courses. White Lion Training then recognised Foley's achievements by offering her a job as a tutor, which she accepted.

Foley said: "Learndirect has helped me get a lot more confidence and a job that I really love. It's amazing to think I walked through the door as a learner and ended up as a tutor for people just like me. I would encourage everybody to take the first step. I know it's the hardest but after that it's amazing."

Sarah Jones, chief executive of ufi, the company behind Learndirect, said: "Learning changes lives and at Learndirect we are passionate about helping people to develop their potential. To each of the winners and highly commended nominees, I offer my congratulations on their success and wish them the best of luck in the future."

Other awards and winners included, the Learndirect Centre of the Year Award, Ever Step Ltd, Working with Employers Award, Communicators Training Associates Ltd, Learndirect Centre Staff Award, Emily Lam, Company Award, Merseytravel, Learndirect Learning Through Work Award, Dimple Patel, Skills for Work Award, John Cook, Unionlearn Award, Donna Bilyard, Judging Panel Special Award, Liiban Abdi and finally the Outstanding Learner Award, Steve Christopher. 

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