TWO Wiltshire College students have been nominated for a regional learning award.

Denise Going and Kim Slade, who study in Chippenham, are finalists for the Learner of the Year award in the Learning and Skills Council South West Skills Awards 2008. The award is for adult students who have shown great motivation and determination in getting qualifications when faced with difficult circumstances.

Both Kim and Denise left school without any qualifications, but felt that it was time they went back to learning.

They are working for their English and Maths Level Two exams, the equivalent of GCSE grade C and above. Denise is also doing Level Two Computer Studies.

Kim, 20, who lives in Leylands Road in Corsham, left school before her GCSEs when she became pregnant.

Her son Aidan is now four, and Kim wants to be able to help him with his schoolwork. She said: "I was just looking at what courses they do one day, and I decided that when my boy goes to school I should help him.

"I'm quite happy to be in the awards, and a bit shocked."

Forty-four-year-old Denise, of Unity Street in Chippenham, stopped going to school when she was 11.

She said that gaining the confidence to go to college in the first place was the hardest part of her studies.

"It's a confidence thing more than the ability to learn," she said. "Just getting there was the difficult bit.

"I wouldn't go to classes and I'd be at home thinking I couldn't do it, but then I'd get a card saying we missed you'."

Lecturer Janet Pollitt entered the pair for the award because of the determination and perseverance they showed in their work.

She said: "I just thought that going from where they started to where they got to was a great achievement. They've gone through a lot of personal development too."

Kim paid tribute to her tutor's efforts. She said: "It's all down to Janet, she's the one who's really got me through it."

For Denise, a part-time cleaner, the qualifications mean she can look for better jobs and have the self-belief to apply for them. She said: "I've only ever done jobs like babysitting or cleaning, and I want something more now."

The awards ceremony takes place on Thursday April 24 in Exeter, where TV personality Ben Fogle will give the keynote speech.