It’s never too late to learn something new – that’s what 42-year-old hotel manager Sandra Smith discovered when she least expected it.
Sandra, from Dumfries, has worked in the hotel industry for over 16 years and enjoys her job. But she thought that would all change when everything at the hotel where she works became computerised.
“I’m definitely not scared to touch a computer now and it’s funny to even think that I used to be. But when work was computerised, I never thought I could get the hang of it and that it would be beyond me.
”I was especially worried because I hadn’t really done any studying since school and, even then, I was never that enthusiastic about doing exams and came away with basic qualifications. I really thought I was past learning and getting qualifications but I still had to learn how to work a computer somehow.”
Sandra went along with a friend to Minerva Training, her local learning centre. After being given advice on the computer courses available, she decided to do the European Computer Driving Licence which would give her a recognised qualification in Information Technology.
Sandra said: “It took a wee while for me to get used to learning again, but the learning centre was an ideal place to do it. I liked being able to learn as quickly or as slowly as I wanted and I could fit it all in when it was convenient for me, which was another bonus.”
Sandra also thought it might be a good idea to get some sort of formal qualification relevant to her career. After all, she had worked in the hotel industry for a long time and it seemed appropriate to have this recognised.
Sandra explained: “I found out that I could do an Adult Modern Apprenticeship in Management, which would give me the qualification I was looking for. I gained so much confidence and self esteem as my studying progressed. I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive environment to learn in.
“I would tell anyone who was thinking about learning something new to go along to their learning centre and start off with just talking things through with the staff there. I’m so glad I did and I would like to learn even more. There’s no stopping me now!”