Lewisham College Student Wins Learning Award

Lewisham College Student Wins Learning Award

16 May 2011

Lewisham College Trade Union Studies student Vitalis Ndeda, 46, has won a prestigious Regional Individual Award as part of the 20th Adult Learners' Week 14 - 20 May 2011. The trophies are awarded by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE).

Principal of Lewisham College Maxine Room said: "I'm delighted to hear of Vitalis' win - he's a shining example of the great calibre of learners we have at Lewisham College. We train thousands of adults every year including people who are changing career and updating their skills. You're never too old to learn, and we provide a supportive environment where people like Vitalis can flourish."

"I came to this country from what was then the USSR as a cleaner with a degree in my pocket," says Vitalis. "I never thought I would I would reach a time when I could negotiate my own wages and the types of jobs I do."

The only cleaning Vitalis does these days is polishing his company car. He now works for Transport for London as a health and safety advisor, where as well as having a comfortable salary, he is also is a member of top professional bodies. Vitalis has become instrumental in encouraging his employer, London Underground, to provide professional training for employees, after taking a union learning representative course.

Vitalis was working as an Assistant Engineer on London Underground when, in 2004, his trade union learning representative encouraged him to take the union learning representative course at Lewisham College. On completion, Vitalis took the TUC Discussion Leaders course too, enabling him to run workplace education sessions where he encouraged many colleagues to engage in learning.

As part of his union learning representative role, he was instrumental in encouraging his employer to provide further professional training for employees.

He is now considered a health and safety specialist for London Underground, training and assessing employees with Lewisham College. Vitalis has also recently completed a qualification on preparing to teach in the lifelong learning sector. "Learning has really empowered me to be in control of my destiny," he said.

John Hayes, Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said, "I whole-heartedly congratulate all the individuals and organisations who have received an Adult Learners' Week Award.   Their inspiring stories bring to light the power that learning has to transform the lives of people of all ages, encourage social mobility and build a better society." 

Alan Tuckett, NIACE Chief Executive, said, "The stories of our award winners once again this year, the 20^th Adult Learners' Week, illustrate the overwhelmingly positive impact that learning has on people's lives. The transformation that Vitalis has experienced is due to his dedication, persistence and ambition. I hope that adults across the country will be inspired by Vitalis' story to take up learning and discover for themselves a whole new life."