Qualifications 2002 - CLAIT computer course 2003 - GCSEs in English, Maths, IT and Science 2004 - GNVQ Intermediate Business 2006 - Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Manchester Metropolitan University, BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance Graduating in 2008.

Name: Wajiha Anjum - Accountant

“When I look back I can’t believe how far I’ve come in six years.I came to live in Oldham from Pakistan in 2001 with hardly any English and only the support of my parents. I was 16 with few prospects of a job and no chance of a career. I don’t think anyone close to me had a great deal of faith I was going to achieve anything and I spent a year doing housework and jobs around the house. But I knew I wanted more. Joining a CLAIT computer course at The Oldham College was the decision which changed my life. A year later with growing confidence I signed up for four GCSEs and the dream of becoming an accountant now seemed a possibility. At first it was difficult to convince other people and I was faced with comments such as “you’ll never do it” and “it’s too difficult” but I was determined to make it happen. Four years on and I’m on the verge of completing a degree in accountancy and on my way to becoming professionally qualified. The hardest thing has been convincing myself and others I was doing the right thing but the support I’ve had from tutors and my parents has helped me through, especially during the first few years. I wanted to become something to prove to myself I’m the best I can be. I’m ambitious and even early on had a clear picture in my head of where I wanted to be. If I was asked for my advice I would say decide on what you want to do, don’t be put off by others and stay positive when things get tough. My life has been transformed in a very short space of time and hopefully I’ll be running my own business in a few years’ time. Have a dream and make it come true. Best thing I’ve ever done. Many thanks, Wajiha.”

Qualifications 2003 - Counselling Concepts 2004 - Certificate in Counselling 2005 - Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills 2006 - Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills

Name: Natalie Bates – Youth Worker and Counsellor

"I sometimes smile to myself when I think of how I felt when I first thought of counselling as a career.I was worried I had to be an academic to be able to do it. I wouldn’t have dreamed I could be working in this profession. After all, I was the person who between the ages of 17 and 25 only really thought about having a good time – a career wasn’t ever on the agenda. I started to think about what I was going to do with my life shortly after the birth of my first child and decided then I wanted something more than a wage at the end of the week. Four years later, at the end of my twenties, I dipped my toe in the subject and I’ve never looked back. I took a ten week part-time taster course in counselling at Oldham College and realised this was what I’d been looking for. Three years on, hundreds of hours of study and practical placements at Oldham PCT and MIND behind me and I’m now working as a Youth Worker in Limeside and as a Counsellor at SALVE - a charity working with children and adults in Salford. I’m also considering taking a university course. Listening skills are greatly undervalued and yet they are so vital in many types of work, none more so than counselling. For years friends had told me I’m a good listener but I never thought this was an area I could make a career out of. Did the subject find me or did I find it? I like to think we met each other half way. I don’t think I could have done the courses and the work in my early twenties, definitely not in my teens. Work in this area benefits from life experience and the more years you have the better. The study and the work have changed the way I think and behave. I’m now a better mother, wife and friend. In fact I believe I’m a better person as a result. There’s a saying in counselling ‘You can’t change the past, but you can change the future’. This is so true and from my experience I’ve changed my own and my family’s future for the better. I’m the first in my family to have been to college and they’re so proud of what I’ve done. I’m now a million miles away from the young woman who worked as a BT operator – those listening skills again. Best wishes, Natalie"

Qualifications GNVQ Level 2 in Painting and Decorating

Name: Christopher Taylor – North West Apprentice of the Year 2007

"I come from a family of painters and decorators and so I suppose it was in my genes. Actually it was a close run thing between becoming a PE teacher or a decorator. I’ve always been more of a practical person in everything I’ve done and physical things have always been more of an interest than bookwork. When I was offered an apprenticeship with Dave Luck Limited I didn’t hesitate. My granddad had been a painter and so had many other members of my family so I knew what I was getting into. This first step was at 17, only four years ago, but I’ve been fortunate to be with an employer who values the benefit of training and in giving responsibility early on. I’m now working as a foreman and have an apprentice of my own – he too is going to Oldham College. I won the title of North West Apprentice of the Year 2007 and I was runner up at the national awards being the only craft trade in the final three. I don’t think I could have gone so far without the support of my employer and the training I received at Oldham. It was a surprise to win the title and it means all the more because I had great support from my workmates and boss. The best feeling is being well thought of by those who you work with. I’ve never been much of a planner but I do have ambitions at work. I’d like take on more responsibility and become a supervisor. I’m already learning the management ropes in my leisure time as I run a football team in the Rochdale and District Football League – having to drop one of your mates isn’t easy but I imagine it as good preparation for the real world of work. For the future I’m planning to take on an Advanced Apprenticeship and maybe using my skills to teach one day, but that’s a long way off yet. Winning the title hasn’t changed my attitude to work but it has given me more confidence. I’m getting used to hearing the jokes on site about my celebrity status and comments such as “are you In the Observer again this week?” I can live with that. Regards, Chris"

Qualifications 2001/2002 - National Certificate in Popular Music and Recording 2002/2003 - National Diploma in Popular Music and Recording 2003/2006 - BA (Hons) in Popular Music and Recording, University of Salford

Name: Matthew Lees – Performer and Musician

"I have never been one for making plans but I now realise there was always something driving me. I just couldn’t wait to get up there and perform. The surprising thing is I’m now involved in music teaching and I’ve become a role model myself. At school I was never really into the academic structure but I now realise the problem was I needed to concentrate on something I was passionate about. I was average at school subjects but I think this was because I was never really interested in history, geography and so on – but I did love poetry and art. It was only when I started at Oldham College the penny dropped. I found what I’d been looking for. The two years spent studying for the National Diploma in Popular Music and Recording really changed the way I looked at things and I started to take music and a career seriously. I amazed myself with how well I did at college and after two years I was studying at Salford University. What I now realise is learning is easy if you find something you’re interested in because it doesn’t feel like any effort when you’re enjoying yourself. With music I knew there would be something at the end of it, something I could use. Just eight years ago I made a decision to make a career in music. Now it feels good to be putting something back through my teaching and I’m meeting people who have dreams like mine. My advice? I’d listen to everything but only follow what makes sense to you. To do something vocational you have to have an interest in the subject. Have a clear vision to succeed. Regards, Matt"

Qualifications GCSE’s AVC in Art and Design Pre-Degree course at The Oldham College Designed for Textura Miliken Carpets

Name: Jessica Johnson – Artist

"My grandma has my first ever drawing. It’s her prize possession and she tells me it’s priceless. I tell her with a bit of luck one day it will be. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a crayon or a paintbrush in my hand and so the decision to follow art as a career was more or less made for me. It was almost as if I didn’t have a choice in the matter. I made a conscious decision to make art my life when I was about 11. It was when I moved up to secondary school, around the time when you realise one day you’ll have to do something when you leave to join the grown up world. I enjoyed studying academic subjects at school but decided to follow my first love after my GCSEs. Art was always going to be my first choice and I couldn’t wait to get started on concentrating all my energies in this direction. I had a false start at another college when I was 16 and didn’t enjoy the more theoretical approach they used to teach the subject. I couldn’t take to writing essays about art when all I wanted to do was express myself practically and creatively. When I finally arrived at Oldham College I knew I had found the right spot. Here was a place where the emphasis was on taking part and doing rather than simply watching, listening and then writing an essay. People learn in different ways and I’m one of those who does best when I’m getting my hands dirty. I’m now in my final year of a BA Honours degree in Surface Design, Fashion and Interiors at the University of Huddersfield and not far off earning a living from my art. I have already sold some of my designs to a company who mass produce gift tags in China and then sell them on to the mass market. Some of the gift tags I created are on sale in John Lewis and the card company Birthdays has shown a great deal of interest in my work. It feels good to see your ideas for sale on the high street. You feel like telling the people buying them “that’s one of mine, I designed it.” You have to have a thick skin to survive. It’s hard to hear someone say bad things about your work but then again it’s wonderful to hear good the good things people say. Everyone has to suffer a little for their art. Thanks, Jessica"

Qualifications NVQ 2 / 3 in Business Administration NVQ 1/2/3 in Hairdressing

Name: Sam Robson – Hairdresser and Businesswoman

"It was almost a case of waking up one morning and deciding hairdressing’s what I want to do. Friends will laugh when they hear this as I spent about eight years dabbling in other things before I came full circle back to Oldham College. I originally started a hairdressing course at Oldham straight from school at 16, but I didn’t last – it felt too much like school for me. I had to find my own way in the world and some eight years later there I was studying for my NVQ while bringing up a baby and working three evenings a week as a health care support worker. I’ve never been one for taking the easy option but I told myself it’s not forever and stuck at it. I started my own business during my level 2 studies along with my younger sister Emma and qualified with an NVQ3 in hairdressing in June 2007. Emma had studied Beauty Therapy and Theatrical Make-up at Oldham and so it seemed a logical step to set up a business together – although Emma did take a bit of persuading. I think we complement each other in skills and attitude. Emma’s more relaxed than me, I’m more of a worrier but I’d like to think we make a balanced team. Confidence has never been one of my strong points and so this is perhaps why it took me so long to get back into the profession. The longer you leave something the harder it becomes to make a move, you become too comfortable and start to worry about losing things that don’t really matter. I still had a mortgage and bills to pay, a child to care for and a secure job, but once I’d decided what I really wanted to do there was no turning back. If I don’t do it now I never will. The course was hard but I told myself once its over I’ll be where I want to be and now looking back it was all worth it. There’s always a parcel of guilt when it comes to children and whatever you do you always think I could have been there more, I should have done this or that, but I know I’m now able to provide a better life for my son. The Oldham College connection has continued with the two highly talented people who work for us. Emma Donoghue is a level 3 qualified beauty therapist and Leanne Duffy has reached the same standard in hairdressing. I trained alongside Leanne and spotted her talent early on – I always thought she’d make a great hairdresser and I can’t believe I was the one in a position to offer her a job. If I was to offer any advice it would be to take your time, don’t jump into things and find the right person to work with. It took more than a year to set the foundations of my business. If your heart is in it then go for it, do it. Sam"