UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE FOR LEICESTER TWL LEARNERS

TWO Leicester women who started the year without a single qualification are now heading to university thanks to help from local training provider TWL.

Kellie Williams, 24, and Geeta Parajiea, 46, turned to TWL Training Ltd, based in Imperial House, St Nicholas Circle, in Leicester City Centre, for help in getting the skills they need to find a job.

Through TWL’s Employability Skills Programme (ESP), Kellie and Geeta have now passed level one ASDAN qualifications. As a result of this, they have been offered places on an IT access course at De Montfort University. Completion of this course would lead to either an HND or Degree in IT.

Funded by the Learning and Skills Council, the ESP programme works with local learners to give them the skills, help and support they need to find work. This is done by helping learners build up their confidence, improving their maths and English, helping them create a CV and giving them practical help in looking for employment.

During the 15 week course, learners are also given the chance to achieve recognised qualifications and take part in work experience.

Kellie said: “There are a lot of people who discount studying at university because they don’t have any previous qualifications. But by accessing the ESP course, I have been able to fulfil my dream of and it’s all thanks to TWL

“My confidence and self-belief has improved greatly in such a short space of time because of the help they have given me. I’d also like to thank my mum, Talula, for her fantastic support. I’m over the moon to be going to De Montfort and can’t wait for the course to start in September.”

Geeta added: “I have really enjoyed my time at TWL working with the other learners and the caring staff. Through the course, I have had the chance to improve my literacy and numeracy and sit qualifications for the first time.”

Alun Rowlands, TWL East Midlands Regional Manager, said: “Both Kellie and Geeta have achieved success through hard work, dedication and focus, and we are all really proud of them.

“Their stories prove that, by working with learners, we can help them get the skills they need to either find employment, take a step closer to finding work or as in this case access further education.

“De Montfort is one the UK’s best-known and respected universities, and we are delighted that Kellie and Geeta will be studying there.”

For more information about the Employability Skills Programme, contact TWL Training Ltd’s Leicester office on 0116 242 4160.

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