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Double Distinction for OCA's Debbie

posted 9th July 2010

Barnsley College's Business and Management Part-time Student of the Year 2010

Debbie Hodson, Tutor Services Officer at the Open College of the Arts, has been studying for her AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) foundation qualification at Barnsley College on day release every Monday in term time since last September. On 15 June, she received the good news that she had passed her first-year exams and is now qualified at NVQ level 2, equivalent to GCSE.

Two days later, she went along to the Barnsley College's annual award ceremony, having been nominated for an award. First, she was called to the stage as one of a small group of business and management students who received a certificate for diligence from Barnsley Lord Mayor, Councillor Margaret Sheard. Shortly afterwards, she was up on stage again, to be presented with the award for Business and Management Part-time Student of the Year 2010. The Part-time and Full-time Student of the Year awards are the highest given by the college each year to the two outstanding business and management students.

Commenting on her double award win, Debbie said: “I can't believe it when I look at the Part-time Student of the Year trophy on my desk. It's given me an incredible boost. I decided to start studying again because I want to better myself and get on at work. Barnsley College, in particular my tutors Jenny and Samantha, and the Open College of the Arts have been fantastic. They've encouraged me every step of the way, right from when I took the plunge by doing my GCSEs. This award has convinced me that this is just the start for my accountancy studies.”

Debbie went to college to train as a hairdresser when she left school, joining OCA in 1993 to work in the warehouse distributing course materials to students and later joining the finance team. Her new accountancy skills are already having a positive impact on the way she does her job. Debbie explains: “Now, I'm doing more in less time, because I understand so much more about how my job fits into the OCA and look for more efficient ways to do things. The time I save means I’m getting involved in talking to students and tutors on the phone about fees and payments, rather than just processing invoices. It's added a new dimension to what I do. I get more out of my job now than I ever have done, and it’s all down to going back to college.”

OCA Chief Executive Gareth Dent said: “At OCA, we take our own learning as seriously as we take the learning of our students. We actively encourage everyone who works here to make their own development a priority. I know that Debbie’s success will be an inspiration to anyone who may think they haven’t got the time or the energy to take on a learning challenge.”

Debbie is already thinking ahead to the next stage of her learning journey. In September, she will be back at Barnsley College, starting on the AAT's one-year intermediate course and working towards her NVQ level 3 (A level equivalent). After that, she plans to enrol on the AAT technician course, her route to an NVQ level 4 (first year degree level).