TURN your passion into a qualification and you could soon be "growing" towards the career of your dreams.
That is the message from adult learners who are studying horticulture at the Grimsby Institute.
And all next week the Institute is inviting you to try your hand at a range of courses relating to your interests – from dog grooming and plumbing, to hair styling, decorating, brickwork and joinery – as part of Adult Learners' Week 2013.
One person who is already reaping the rewards of returning to education as an adult is grandmother-of-four Yvonne McInnes, 55, of Cleethorpes.
The former teaching assistant was unemployed for 18 months before being referred to the Institute by the Jobcentre.
She explained: "I decided that if I wasn't able to retire, then I might as well spend my last years in employment working in an industry I really enjoy.
"I was very lucky that being accepted onto the course didn't affect my benefits and the fees were paid for, too.
"Since then, I've secured a part-time job at Alford Garden Centre and I'm looking forward to starting a full-time job when I finish."
Another student who would encourage others to return to education is Natalie Ladds, 43, of Holton-le-Clay, who is studying for a BTEC Level 3 in horticulture.
She said: "I've had all sorts of jobs over the years, from working in hotels to working at B&Q, but gardening has always been my real passion.
"I've got six plastic greenhouses at home and my friends and family always come to me for their plants.
"I decided that I would like to get the theoretical knowledge to back-up my passion, so I signed up for this course."
And Natalie, who has since won Institute horticulture student of the year, says she hasn't looked back since signing up.
She added: "I've learned so much and I'd tell anybody who's thinking of going back to education to go for it. You never know what might come from it."
Father-of-one Dave Bedham, 31, is also enrolled on the Level 3 qualification after returning to education.
He said: "I'm dyslexic and I struggled when I was at school, so I was worried about coming back to education, but I shouldn't have been.
"I think if you're really passionate about something then it makes learning it easier – that's what I've found anyway."
Potential horticulture students will be able to make a hanging basket during Adult Learners' Week.
Tutor Tim Cooper said: "We have a wide range of people on our courses, from teenagers to people in their 60s and it creates a great atmosphere for learning."
To find out more about the taster sessions, call 01472 311219 or e-mail infocent@grimsby.ac.uk
ON THE WEB: Read more about getting involved in Adult Learners' Week at the Institute at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk
