BY MARK McKELVEY

AS BROWN envelopes containing GCSE results were opened in anticipation last week, the importance of gaining at least a grade C in GCSE Maths and English cannot be underestimated.

These envelopes were not only opened by nervous 16 year-olds; there is a growing number of adults returning to education to gain this required qualification if you have any chance of progressing in the workplace.

Adult students who have been juggling work and family commitments have crammed two years worth of learning into a one year course a few hours a week at night.

One such student told the UlsterHerald, "Most jobs ask for GCSE Maths and English and regardless of experience or vocational qualifications you will not be short-listed if you have not attained a grades level between A and C."

This particular adult student feels this stringent policy is wrong and believes employers should look beyond this requirement and look at other factors when determining suitable job applicants.

"The practice is due to the competitive job market here, but employers are missing out on valuable experience by only judging a person on qualifications achieved as a child," they said.

"In the GCSE Maths class there are students sitting the course three or four times or more, desperate to pass to enable them to gain employment, promotion at work or to move onto study for higher qualifications."

Omagh District Training Consortium (ODTC) offer a scheme named the Delta Programme which offers mature students a path back into education to study a range of vocational courses as well as gaining GCSE English and Maths qualifications.

Angela Callaghan who works for the ODTC explained the benefits of this education and training programme.

"The Delta programme offers adults a means to return to education and work experience. It is extremely flexible and tailored for each individual's specific educational and training needs," said Angela.

"If there are any adults looking to get back into education this is the programme for them with a range of options such as photography, personal fitness, hair dressing, beauty, retail etc. as well as GCSE English and Maths.

"We find many people that participate are woman with families, who were not able to get on other programmes such as New Deal. We also offer a signpost service, if we can't help, we will find someone who can.

"We also have had graduates do really well out of the Delta Programme as they may of had the qualifications but they lacked the work experience which we can help arrange. There is many people out there with good skills and talents and the Delta programme is a way for them to utilise their potential."

September is the last opportunity to enrol on the Delta Programme for the academic year starting in September as funding will run out for this essential adult education assistance in March next year. For more information on the services provided visit www.odtc.info