Published on 14 March 2018
It might seem daunting, but one Sunderland dad is showing how it’s never too late to return to study.
Gary Waller spent seven years in the Army, 12 years working at Nissan and 10 years as a taxi driver.
But, after deciding it was time for a career change, Gary took a big step with the help of the University of Sunderland.
Today, a new report by MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, is calling for a fresh approach to boost flexible opportunities for mature students just like Gary.
‘Forgotten Learners: building a system that works for mature students’ states that while increased access to university for students from disadvantaged backgrounds is rightly applauded, the focus remains on the ‘traditional’ school-leavers with more needed to help mature students.
Gary is a shining example of how the University of Sunderland is providing that vital helping hand.
He said: “Before going to university, I served for seven years in the Royal Engineers as a plant operator, then 12 years at Nissan working on the production line, and 10 years working as a taxi driver.
“But I always had bigger ambitions, which I was able to realise at the University of Sunderland.
“I decided to attend university to prove something to myself. I left school with few qualifications and I also wanted to improve my job prospects.
“While at Sunderland I applied for a part-time job at Liebherr through the University’s Careers and Employability Service.
“Effectively I started to work for Liebherr while I was in my second year at Sunderland, and now I am the Logistics Manager.
“I would recommend enrolling onto a degree programme to anyone who has a desire to educate themselves and improve their career prospects.
“In fact, I’ve encouraged members of my own family to go to the University of Sunderland in order to fulfil their potential. Some of them are now graduates or current students at the university themselves.”
Gary, 50, contacted Sunderland when the foundation degree he had applied to do at Sunderland College fell through – and was enrolled directly onto the BA Business and Financial Management degree.
Like most students Gary was dependent on the support of his family – but the Waller family took that support a bit further than most.
Gary graduated in 2015 alongside his wife Debra, who went on to gain her MSc in Environmental Health and Safety, and went on to work as a councillor at Sunderland City Council.
His daughter Elisha also graduated in 2015, then gained a PGCE in Computer Science Education in 2016, going on to teach at the University Technical College (UTC) South Durham.
His youngest daughter Stephanie is in the final year of a Broadcast Media Production degree – and they all studied at the University of Sunderland.
The latest report by MillionPlus is strengthened by the testimony of mature students including Gary, each showing how their lives have changed thanks to university study.
Perhaps surprisingly, students of all ages are attracted to study at the University of Sunderland, with seven in 10 of its undergraduates over 20 and one in five of students over 30, bucking the national trend for reduced numbers of mature learners in higher education.
Vice Chancellor Shirley Atkinson explained: “Increasingly, we teach students at all stages of their lives and careers. We know for example university is a strong option for those who left school some time ago who are now considering a career change or wishing to pursue their passion.
“Often people leave school unsure of what they want to do and then after a few years feel trapped in an unfulfilling job with no prospects of promotion or development.
“We have lots of examples of students who have come to us via college or an access course who have gone on to successfully accomplish their full time or part time degree.
“Our message to anyone considering studying for a degree is ‘you still can’, it’s never too late to change the course of your life.”
Professor David Phoenix, Chair of MillionPlus and Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University, said: “The UK faces a daunting productivity challenge in the decade to come and in response we need a better and more flexible offer to those over 21 to ensure that we are able to upskill and reskill many more people.
“In addition, it is essential that any society with a goal of social mobility enables flexible opportunities for people throughout their lives and since mature students bring with them a wealth of experience they also make a major contribution to the vibrancy and diversity of campus life.”
Welcoming the report, Professor Les Ebdon, Director of Fair Access to Higher Education, said: “There is a clear societal and economic benefit to people succeeding in higher education, whatever stage of their life they come to it.”