Age just a number for welsh work-based students

LARGER percentages of older students are enrolling in University this term but it doesn’t stop there, with work-based modern apprenticeships taking mature students by storm.

Studies recently showed that over 11,000 students in Wales are aged 50 or over, and nearly a third of all Welsh students are over 40.

One of the top training providers in Wales, t2 business solutions supply fully funded work-based modern apprenticeships to over 1800 students, 42% being 40 and above.

t2 business has almost 800 learners ranging from 40 to 64, all of which are gaining a qualification whilst working. Benefits of the modern apprenticeship include the ability to learn on the job, with the course catered around your role and responsibilities. This proves attractive to a larger number of mature students, who can continue with their career and their education.

Karen Woods, 44, Deputy Manager, of Lyndell House Nursing Home has recently completed her second work-based Management Modern Apprenticeship with t2. She said: “I spent 20 years as a staff nurse, and was happy doing it. Only when t2 gave me the opportunity to gain a qualification for free did I think about further education. Everything I had tried before failed, but this was different. I was able to learn on the job, and became excited about completing the course. I completed the first course then moved onto the next level.

“The results for me have been outstanding, both personally and financially. I have been promoted to Deputy Manager, with a view of taking on the Manager role and am implementing my own management objectives into the company.”

Modern apprenticeships are vocational training qualifications that develop skills through a combination of work-based learning, assignments and classroom training.

Rob Marr, Managing Director of t2 business solutions said: “It is great to see such an increase in mature students. t2 gives all students the support they require and encourage people of all ages to continue their education.

“Our fully funded courses have had fantastic results with a huge variety of students. It is fantastic to enable older students to gain further experience and qualifications through these courses. Work-based modern apprenticeships are an alternative to university or college. It creates a method of continuing education if students don’t have the spare time or finances to return.”

For further information, visit www.t2business.co.uk.