Hull College is joining colleges across the country to support the Association of Colleges’ (AoC) Adult Learning Pays campaign, celebrating the difference adult education can make to people’s lives, careers and futures.
Running from 19th to 23rd October, the national campaign shines a spotlight on adults who return to education to gain qualifications, develop new skills, explore new career paths and build confidence in their abilities.
At Hull College, we see first-hand how learning can help people take their next steps, whether that means progressing in their current profession, pursuing a long-held ambition or discovering a new direction altogether.
Adult education can also help employers develop the skills their businesses need, while supporting a more skilled and confident workforce across Hull and the wider Humber region.
Learning at any age can open new doors
For our adult learners, returning to education is often about creating opportunities that might once have felt out of reach.
Natalia Krupiczowicz is continuing to develop her skills in Beauty Therapy after already gaining qualifications in Hairdressing and Barbering. At 40, she sees learning as an opportunity to invest in herself and her future.
“I turned 40 this year, and I feel like it’s my time to focus on myself and my future,” Natalia said. “I want to keep learning, developing and progressing.”
Her experience also highlights how adult learning can build confidence alongside practical skills. Through combining classroom learning with hands-on experience in our on-site training salon, Natalia is developing her knowledge and preparing for the next stage of her career.
“I’m a lot more confident now,” she explained. “Some of the theory was difficult at first, but as I’ve progressed through the course, I’ve become much more confident in my knowledge and practical skills.”
Turning qualifications into career opportunities
For other learners, gaining a qualification can be the key to unlocking a specific career goal.
Alina Holobenko returned to education to achieve her GCSE English qualification, having moved to the UK from Ukraine in 2022. After studying in evening classes alongside full-time work, she achieved a grade 7 – a result that brought her closer to her ambition of becoming a qualified teacher.
“My goal was to pass my GCSE English so I could move forward with my PGCE, but achieving a grade 7 was amazing. It means I can take the next step towards becoming a qualified teacher, developing my career and building a better future for myself in the UK.
“All the hard work has been worth it, and I really enjoyed the process too. The support I received from my tutors was also really important in helping me achieve my grade.”
Alina’s story shows how adult education can help people progress professionally, gain recognised qualifications and build towards a future they have worked hard to achieve.
It’s never too late to take the first step
Returning to education can feel daunting, particularly when balancing study with work and family commitments. But, as our learners demonstrate, the rewards can make the effort worthwhile.
Deborah Guy-Watson studied GCSE Maths while continuing to work full-time and raise a family. Achieving her qualification has brought her closer to her goal of training to become a teacher.
“The difference now is that, as an adult, you’re doing it because you want to,” Deborah said. “I enjoyed it so much more this time, especially being able to understand things that I don’t think I fully understood at school. I think that comes with life experience, too.”
With her next career step in sight, Deborah is encouraging other adults to consider returning to learning.
“I think going back into education is a no-brainer,” she said. “The Maths course was fantastic, and the teaching was great. There are also lots of online resources available now, which make it much easier to study in your own time than it was back in 1999!”
Their stories reflect the message at the heart of Adult Learning Pays: education is not just for the start of your career. It can help you build confidence, gain new skills and take a different path at any stage of life.
At Hull College, we’re proud to support adult learners as they work towards their ambitions, helping them turn their potential into new opportunities.
Phoenix Future Skills
𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝘀. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀.
Whether it’s learning something new, changing career, returning to work or progressing professionally, adult education can open doors to new opportunities.
At Phoenix Future Skills, we offer a range of flexible training opportunities to help adults develop their skills, gain qualifications and take their next steps. From free online courses to adult skills programmes and professional development, our training supports individuals while helping employers develop their teams, address skills gaps and build a skilled, adaptable workforce.
