Upholstery student Jane Leaning has earned a regional adult education award after setting up in business just months into her course.
Jane, 50, from Barton-Upon-Humber, scooped the Regional Business Link Skills for Business Award at the Adult Learners’ Week Awards for
Yorkshire and the Humber, which was organised by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE).
In September 2009, she began studying on East Riding College’s Upholstery for Beginners course at the campus in Gallows Lane, Beverley.
Only three months later, she set up a workshop in her garden and began buying old furniture to re-upholster and sell in an antiques centre near Lincoln. She is now considering building on this by selling from a room in an antiques shop in Barton.
Jane said: “I was extremely proud to be nominated because I was nominated by my tutor on merit, and I was really proud of the comments she wrote about me.
“Then to actually go on and win the award was quite a big thing for me and made me really proud – I’ve never won anything in my life.”
Jane enrolled for the upholstery course as a total beginner to the craft. She rapidly progressed, and demonstrated that she was capable of producing extremely high standards of work.
Lecturer Trish Farmer said: “This particular learning journey has only been possible through dedication, commitment, identifying a talent and having the confidence and willingness to utilise it in a positive way.
“Jane has always played an active role within the upholstery group; always willing to share her creative ideas and practical expertise with others, yet at the same time, welcoming critical and constructive feedback about her own work.
“This is an excellent example of students learning and working effectively together, which reflects the ethos of adult education.”
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