Scott beats dyslexia to take achiever's award

PART-TIME Dearne Valley College tutor Scott Ward has beaten dyslexia to improve his skills  and is now helping other with the condition.

And by  picking up the Adult Achiever of the Year award at the college's recent Student Awards Evening Scott Ward (36) from Bolton upon Dearne proved that through hard work and determination, adults can learn new skills and re-train.

Scott is a technician with a part-time contract teaching Motor Vehicle Body Repair and has now completed his Certificate in Education (Cert Ed) course.

After trying some teaching, Scott decided to undertake the two year part-time course in order to build up his knowledge and skills required for teaching. One of the first things Scott discovered was that he had dyslexia.

Until being diagnosed with dyslexia Scott had put strategies into his normal everyday life to work around the problems to get by.

With support from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Scott was supplied with equipment to help him with his studies. This included a dictaphone to record lessons and play back at a later point and a laptop with a special device that type up his spoken thoughts.

As part of one of his special studies Scott explored ways of teaching students who also have dyslexia. His specialist subject paper looked at: Understanding How Colour Impacts on Learning in the Motor Vehicle Repair Industry and Education. He investigated, and developed ways of helping other students with dyslexia and implemented those methods in his teaching.

Scott commented said: "Although being diagnosed with dyslexia, the condition has not stopped me from learning and completing the Certificate in Education. I chose the qualification to acknowledge my skills in allied trades and get a relevant teaching qualification. From conducting my research I hope to enhance learning opportunities for students at DVC".

Aimed at practising teachers and trainers working in the post-16 compulsory education and training sector, the part-time Cert Ed course has beauty therapists, hairdressers, engineers, social care trainers, sports coaches from further education, adult education, local government, the armed forces and private training providers studying the qualification.

Following completion of the Cert Ed, some non-graduates go on to further study with the University of Huddersfield to complete a BA degree in education and training.

The Certificate in Education is an award of the University of Huddersfield.

Wath-based Dearne Valley  college offers a wide range of courses in a variety of areas for adults and businesses which start from September 2010.  Enrolment Days will take place at the Manvers Campus on; Thursday 26 August and Thursday 2 September 2010 from 10.00am - 8.00pm.

For a Training Guide for Adults and Businesses call the dedicated enquiry line on T: 01709 513355 or visit www.dearne-coll.ac.uk