SWC Students of All Ages Boost Career Prospects with GCSE English

Among them is 51-year-old Ian Gaffney from Omagh, who enrolled at SWC Omagh to complete his GCSE English, proving that it’s never too late to gain qualifications and open new doors.

Ian, a chef at Irvine’s Steakhouse in Tempo, began working at 15 without formal qualifications. While his culinary skills served him well, he found that lacking official credentials was limiting his personal and professional growth. Determined to change this, Ian committed to an evening course and completed it within a year.

Reflecting on his journey, Ian shared:
"I started working as a chef at a time when qualifications weren’t essential, but recently I felt held back without them. I really enjoyed the English course and the entire learning experience. So much so that I’ve now enrolled in GCSE Maths and hope to pursue my passion for creative writing.

"The support from my tutor and classmates made it a positive experience, and having dedicated time to learn has been incredibly fulfilling."

Adult learner Verity Moore, from Omagh also praised the course, describing how, despite initial hesitation due to personal circumstances, enrolling was the best decision she made.

After achieving top marks, Verity said:

"I always felt held back by not having gained my English qualifications at school. When the opportunity arose, I joined the college to change that. Before starting, my mental health was struggling and my confidence was low, but the course gave me purpose and time for myself.

“My tutor was excellent, very attentive and encouraging, creating a positive learning environment that helped me thrive. I now plan to take GCSE Maths this year and would encourage anyone in a similar situation to go for it; you won’t regret it."

Mohammad Hossain Mussapour, originally from Afghanistan and educated to degree level in his home country, received a conditional offer and scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in Food Security at the University of Edinburgh. To meet the English language requirements, Mohammad enrolled in essential skills courses, progressing to GCSE English at Omagh Campus. Employed at Mullaghmore Bakery, he was motivated to improve his English for both personal confidence and professional advancement.

Mohammad reflected:
"The college has provided an excellent education, and I am grateful to have been able to study English part-time. This course has made a real difference in my career and personal life. Since English isn’t my first language, improving my skills was essential to meet my university offer requirements.

“The support from my tutor has been outstanding, making the experience very rewarding. I now aim to further develop my English and complete the Oxford ELLT to progress onto my Master’s degree."