Nominations are now open for Adult Learners' Week Awards 2010, giving adult learners the chance to be recognised for their outstanding learning achievements. Every year NIACE receives over 1,000 nominations from colleges, businesses, adult education providers, museums, libraries and this year the nomination process is even easier, with the introduction of brand-new, shorter nomination forms.

The awards for Adult Learners' Week (15-21 May 2010) recognise extraordinary learners - individuals, groups, families and projects - with inspirational learning journeys that have helped them transform not only their lives, but the lives of others too. Winners from this year include:

Richard John Stacey, from Sheffield, Regional Individual Award Winner, is profoundly deaf, yet has learnt to speak, lip read and sign, and has successfully completed a teacher training course at Sheffield Hallam University. Richard said:

"The feeling of winning an award was amazing and it made me realise that I must not underestimate my ability to achieve more things...I want to pass on the many positive things I have learnt."

Rene Coles, from Cambridgeshire, Regional Individual Award Winner, decided to take her Maths GCSE when she was 39, helping her to change careers from a car park attendant to an adult tutor. Rene said:

"Winning an award was an amazing experience for me. I felt honoured that someone believed in me and nominated me, recognising all my hard work."

Dane Phillips, from Hereford, European Social Fund Regional Award Winner, rarely attended school, feeling that he didn't fit in. Following over five years in the Army, he battled drinking and drugs problems, but eventually turned to learning and transformed his life. Dane said:

"The award ceremony was a great day with many people who had such [different] stories to tell. My confidence and self-esteem have grown. I feel I now have a purpose to get out of bed and it is nice to have a job I enjoy."

Cath Mitchell, from Newcastle upon Tyne, Learning Through Technology Award Winner, had to leave work due to ill health, but found new skills for a new job through learning. Cath said:

"I feel the award and presentation were a wonderful experience, but the knowledge of IT I now have is the best life-lasting award for me."

Gabriele Logrotteria, from London, Regional Individual Award Winner, came to the UK nine years ago barely knowing English, but is now on his way to becoming a Primary School Teacher. Gabriele said:

"Winning an award was a confidence booster. It gave me the opportunity to feel proud of myself for all the hard work I have done in the last 5 years."