Guidance notes and eligibility criteria
We’re looking for individuals who have been on a transformational learning journey and who have shown enthusiasm for continued learning. We want to recognise that learning isn’t restricted to the classroom. We are looking for learners who could motivate others to take up learning, especially those who lack the confidence to do so.
Individual learners will:
-
Be learning to improve their skills for personal development, for health and wellbeing (physical or mental), to benefit their family or community, or to improve their employment prospects.
-
Illustrate the transformational power of learning as an adult.
-
Show significant evidence of how their positive learning experience has changed their life, opened new opportunities, or had an impact on their family, friends, colleagues or community.
-
(Usually) have made significant in-roads into their learning journey and wish to continue to learn.
-
Have participated in provision funded through the Adult Education Budget in the West Midlands. This can include Construction Gateway, Bootcamps and Free Courses for Jobs.
-
Help to make a strong case for the devolution of skills funding through advocacy and media activity.
-
Be inspiring to other learners.
Inspirational Adult Learner award
We’re looking for a standout individual who has been on a transformational learning journey, and who has shown enthusiasm for continued learning. We want to recognise that learning isn’t restricted to the classroom. We are looking for learners who could motivate others to take up learning, especially those who lack the confidence to do so.
Learning for Work award
We’re looking for individuals who have improved their employment prospects in their current role, undertaken upskilling or retraining, secured a new job, set up a business or progressed in their career as a result of their learning. Examples include CPD, workplace training, improving existing skills in a current job, accessing training to take on a new role or to secure a new job, changing career or setting up a business. (Please note apprenticeships are not eligible as they are not funded through the Adult Education Budget.)
Step into Learning Award
We are looking for people who have recently returned to learning and whose stories demonstrate the benefits learning can have on individuals and their families right from the outset. Winners may have returned to learning to improve basic skills such as English, maths and digital skills, or to gain confidence and build self-esteem. The learning must have taken place through Community Learning provision funded through the Adult Education Budget. Winners will inspire and motivate others to take a first step into learning as an adult – especially those who have not been engaged in learning for many years.