Case Study - Annmarie Wallace

  Annmarie Wallace (36) is from Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim. She is currently studying IT through Distance Learning with National Learning Network in Cavan.

I retired from the Civil Service in 2006 due to ill health. I have worked hard to regain some of my health since then, but due to the nature of my illness, I am still not in a position to participate in a full-time training course.

I heard about the IT Distance Learning course through a friend of mine. He had attended National Learning Network’s Roslyn Park College in Dublin a few years ago and was aware of the courses that the organisation offered. My friend suggested that I contact my nearest National Learning Network centre based in Cavan. The rest is history!

I absolutely love the IT by Distance Learning course. The materials used are very comprehensive and cover all aspects of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), which I am studying. They are also extremely easy to follow.

Because the course is offered through distance learning, it has so many advantages. No only do I have the opportunity to train, but I can also study at my own pace within certain parameters. My tutor, Mary Keady, is absolutely wonderful. She’s always at the other end of the phone or e-mail and only to happy to help and offer easy practical solutions to any queries that I may have.

Part of my course requires me to attend a workshop once a month and I really look forward to it. Mary often structures the workshop around a particular computer application that the students are studying, and it’s always very helpful. Some of the students would go to lunch afterwards, which is lovely.

My course runs for two years so, all going well, I am scheduled to finish in September 2011. By then I will have covered the ECDL syllabus and also City and Guilds syllabus in Computer Studies.

When I have completed my course with the National Learning Network I hope to study Print Journalism in The Cavan Institute. I enjoy writing very much and hope to pursue a writing / journalism career after I finish my studies. This would enable me to pursue a writing career from home, something that would suit my current care and life adaptation needs.

I’m so glad that my friend suggested that I contact National Learning Network. I’d recommend that anyone who finds themselves in a situation similar to mine, and wants to train to enter or return to the workforce, gets in touch with their nearest branch. They are always more that happy to help and will put you on the right track for sure.