An exciting new initiative aimed at empowering adult learners has been introduced by the Gibraltar College this Academic Year, making available daytime courses in English, Maths, and Spanish. These forward thinking courses are specifically designed to support individuals who may have left education early, providing them with the opportunity to gain essential qualifications that can significantly enhance their personal and professional lives.

As part of its mission to promote lifelong learning, Gibraltar College has worked closely with the local community to make these courses accessible. Through collaboration with local employers, some learners are even being released during work hours to attend, reflecting a collective effort to break down barriers to education.

Speaking about the initiative, Daniel Benrimoj, Principal of Gibraltar College stated: “Our Gibraltar College is a vital learning provider that must meet the needs of our entire community. It is important to acknowledge that learning is not a race but a lifelong journey of exploration and opportunity. As a community college, we must provide the opportunity for learners who may have been disengaged at a younger age or where life at the time had different priorities to provide opportunities for personal growth. These qualifications can make a big difference to our students’ working lives and is an opportunity they are cherishing.”

This initiative has already had a profound impact, as illustrated by heartfelt testimonials from participants. One anonymous learner highlighted the importance of the new daytime provision, stating: “If it were not for this provision, some young adults like me would not be able to get a second chance at improving their education. I am grateful to the College for putting this on and also to my employer for releasing me during the day to be able to attend.”

Course tutor Mark Montovio, praised the students’ commitment and passion: “For a number of years I have taught classes during the evenings and have had the pleasure of working with diverse members of our community. Many have struggled to commit for the year, as they juggled family commitments and other responsibilities. Facilitating the programmes during the day has opened up opportunities for many, and the students who engage do so with passion and enthusiasm, valuing greatly what is on offer.”

Programme participant Nadia Khabbat shared her inspirational journey: “Leaving school at 15 was one of the heaviest decisions of my life. Without any GCSEs, all the doors I wanted to open for career progression seemed firmly shut. However, this programme has given me hope and a second chance. This opportunity means the world to me and shows that it’s never too late to achieve the impossible. To other adults like me who feel it’s too late to change their path, I urge you to seize this opportunity. It’s never too late to rewrite your story and accomplish what once seemed out of reach. Thank you to everyone involved who made this possible.”

Sarah Roberts, Continued Education & Professional Courses Coordinator (Ag), spoke about the programme's impact: “As the coordinator of this initiative, I oversee its implementation, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of adult learners. These programmes are about more than qualifications—they offer renewed confidence, fresh starts, and pathways to new opportunities. It is incredibly rewarding to witness how these courses are empowering learners to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.”

Maths teacher Kyranne Santos added: “This pilot scheme supports parents who may otherwise struggle to attend evening classes due to childcare and family commitments. Returning to learning also allows adults to engage with the current curriculum, benefiting both themselves and their families.”

Director of Education, Keri Scott, said, "Together, the Gibraltar College team and our community partners are empowering lives by nurturing vital skills and opening doors to opportunities for those who once thought them out of reach. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all involved, especially those individuals who have courageously committed to pursuing their learning journey later in life, proving that it’s never too late to invest in oneself, to develop and grow."

Minister for Education John Cortes said, “This is a most significant step for the College and reiterates its relevance to the wider community by providing opportunities for learning at any stage and at any age.  I am extremely pleased and would others to consider taking up these courses”.

Gibraltar College remains dedicated to promoting inclusivity and flexibility in education. Looking ahead, the College plans to expand its daytime offerings, complementing the wide array of courses already available through its Adult Education Programme outside traditional working hours.

This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration between educational institutions, the local community, and employers, providing life-changing opportunities for those eager to embrace education at any stage of life.

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, said: "In our first manifesto we laid the seeds for this with our commitment to what we described as 'Second Chance Education'. I am really, genuinely proud to see how this initiative is now being rolled out in the Gibraltar College and how well received it has been. Perhaps most importantly, I am touched by how peoples' lives are being so positively impacted by the second chance they are getting to enjoy the benefits of tuition and qualifications that they were unable to seize earlier in life for myriad, diverse reasons. When our opponents criticise us for spending money they disregard the real life impact our spending has in improving the lives of so many of our citizens in a manner that would be so negatively impacted by their austerity and spending cuts. My sincere thanks to all involved, especially the Principal of the College, Mr Benrimoj, and the Director of Education, Ms Scott, both of whose dedication has made this initiative a reality, as well as the teachers delivering these courses. My congratulations to all those qualifying and taking part for having the courage to come back to formal education and improving their lives and outlooks. They are the real heroes here!”