Adnan Saeed wins Adult Learner Award!

Adnan Saeed (26) came to England in mid 2005 to get happily married. As a lab assistant in Pakistan he soon hoped to be able to enter the health sector here in England.

He soon found however that he had barriers to overcome such as language barriers and lack of UK qualifications. Adnan also had low self -esteem which affected his job search and interview skills.

Adnan decided to join a group of 16 Muslim Men at the Golden Hillock Learning Centre to undertake a course designed to help men access employment opportunities within the health sector. This course was an ESF funded My Time confidence and self-esteem building course.

Adnan successfully completed the OCN accredited course 'Men In Health' at Level 2, whilst socialising with the other men in the group that were also tryiing hard to overcome the same barriers. Due to this course Adnan then landed himself a volunteer placement at Heartlands Hospital, whilst also acheiving a Level 2 ESOL in literacy and numeracy.

Within a year of studying, Adnan, was appointed as a support care worker at Birmingham Childrens Hospital. He works full-time however is also studying to become a qualified counsellor.

Michael Lilley, Managing Director of My Time Ltd, states:

'Adnan is a young Muslim man living in Birmingham at a time of prejudice and discrimination towards the Muslim community. He has overcome shyness and language difficulties to acheive his ambition'.

Adnan Saeed said:

'I am still learning and need to improve particurlary written work, but continuing study is helping me'.

He also stated:

'Learning has helped me to find a job and continuing means a better job in the future. I can also help others.... I want others to benefit the way I have'.

 Below, Adnan is presented his award  by Roger Crouch, Director for Children and Learners at GOWM.  

Due to his successes, after overcoming barriers most common to new entrants into the U.K, Adnan Saeed was nominated by Michael Lilley for the 'Adult Learner Award' (NIACE) which he then won. Adnan and Michael Lilley attended an award ceremony on Wednesday 23rd May 2007, where Adnan was presented with his award. To see all 2007 winners, including Adnan, you can click onto:

http://www.niace.org.uk/ALW/2007/learners/WM-winners.htm#Adnan

Adnan works as an ambassador to promote My Time courses to other men in the community. Adnan is able to do this, as not only is he a role model to people everywhere for overcoming his barriers and reaching for success, he is a role model to all those who enter the U.K and face barriers instantaneously and then work hard to overcome them.

What is truly remarkable about Adnan is, that now he has develpoed his self-esteem, he keeps on reaching out to achieve more and more.