Series 2, Programme One
Monday 6th April 2009
In programmes one and two we learn more about the personal challenges and motivations of the eight students.; Ifrah Ahmed, Stephan Cullen, Peter Trinder, Anne Trinder, Thomas McMahon, Ann Boyd, Ann Ahern, and James McCann. In episode one the following four participants are profiled;
James McCann - James is 35 and lives in Kinnegad, Westmeath he is married to Catherine and has a baby son Brendan. He left school at 14 and became a mechanic. When eventually the garage had to close, he found that despite the fact that he knew everything about how to fix cars, he couldn't get his full mechanic's qualification because he couldn't read or write.
He now works as a lorry driver but is finding that life is more difficult because he can't type many destinations into his satellite navigation and this is causing him to turn down some of the more profitable long haul jobs. James gets up at 4 every morning and doesn't get home till 7 in the evening. He wants to get a better job so that he can see more of his son growing up. His dream is to get his mechanic's qualification and to be able to keep a personal record of key highs and lows in his life.
Anne and Peter Trinder - Mother, Anne and 19-year-old son Peter. Peter is strongly motivated to address his literacy challenges, which mainly stem from the fact he is dyslexic, in order that he can have the same career opportunities as his peers. His mother Anne is very keen to finally tackle her difficulties with reading and writing, something which she feels has held her back since she left school at 13. Anne was bullied at school and has very low personal confidence. Anne has another son at secondary school and wants to be able to help him as well as do something which might equip her to pursue her dream job of working with animals.
Stephan Cullen - age 55 and married with a wife and son and a daughter in England. Stephan finds himself unemployed having worked as a dry cleaner for many years. Apart from wanting to improve his job prospects, he also wants to be able to tackle the normal daily tasks such as reading a menu with confidence and independence.
The students receive visits from past students Keith and Stacey and from Olympic boxer Darren Sutherland for encouragement and Peter Trinder achieves a lifelong personal ambition.
