Demis awarded top Essential Skills title

Demi Kyle lifted the title at a ceremony which took place at Riddel Hall, Queen’s University, Belfast.

Demi had started the Essential Skills programme as part of her ApprenticeshipNI Level 2 Diploma in Retail and overcame many challenges to further gain an Essential Skills Level 2 Application of Number.

Her employers, ASDA Coleraine, were extremely supportive and encouraging to enable her to achieve her goals and fulfil her ambitions. She has surpassed all her personal expectations.

Within her job role, she is more confident and has been recently promoted to a shift leader in recognition of her enthusiasm and newly developed skills, particularly in relation to numeracy.

Encouraging learners to grasp the opportunities associated with an Essential Skills qualification, Demi said: “I returned to learning as I wanted to receive a formal qualification as I wasn’t able to achieve this at school.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to build my confidence and the support I received from my tutors. It has been a lifelong ambition to study midwifery. I am now attending College and I am studying nursing.

“I am delighted to have achieved this qualification and my employers have supported me in doing this.”

Congratulating all the winners Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry said: “Essential Skills can be the key to opening up new opportunities, whether at work or in everyday life. I would encourage potential learners to take the opportunity to enrol on one or more of the Essential Skills courses, learn new skills or brush up on existing ones and reap all the benefits learning can provide.”