“It is never too late to start learning”

This is the message Adult Learners Week strives to get across during a nationwide celebration of mature education.

The College of West Anglia, which has a campus in Wisbech, used the week to promote the initiative.

A spokesman for the college said: “Many people have the preconceived idea learning is just for the young but as two of the college’s students prove, it’s never too late to take an opportunity to change the direction of your life for the better.”

Sarah Hasler, 44, of Wisbech, completed a diploma in hairdressing and is now studying for NVQ level 2 diploma in nail technology. She runs her own hair and nail business.

She said: “Studying at the college has completely changed my life; it gave me the confidence to start believing that I could anything even though I had been away from a college environment for over 20 years.

“My business is going from strength to strength; it has paid for this year’s course, all my equipment, products, and expenses.”

She said getting back into studying at 40 has helped her fulfil her childhood dream of becoming a hairdresser.

Weslie Ogilvie, also of Wisbech, worked full-time in a factory in Peterborough for three-and-a-half years before being faced with redundancy.

He decided to change direction and learn a trade in carpentry and joinery and is currently studying for such a qualification at the college.

The 30-year-old said: “The qualification has given me the basic skills to go on to a level 2 course and enter employment.

“If anyone is thinking of returning to education to gain a new skill I would definitely say go for it.”