15/01/11
Courageous Shane carves out a new future
A debilitating lung condition forced a talented young Llanelli man to abandon his ambition to become a skilled manufacturing engineer, but a willingness to learn fresh skills has helped him bounce right back and embark on a promising new career in construction.
Shane Evans, who has Cystic Fibrosis, was forced to end his manufacturing training when he found the factory environment made his condition much worse.
However he refused to be defeated and, after many months recovering, he signed up as an apprentice carpenter, a job which had always appealed to him, and has recently qualified in his new field.
Now at the age of 23, he is progressing well in the construction trade and hopes one day to set up his own company.
Shane’s successful career change is being highlighted this month as part of a New Year drive by the Welsh Assembly Government and adult learning body NIACE Dysgu Cymru to encourage people of all ages to start 2011 by seeking new knowledge or skills.
During January adults in South West Wales are being urged visit one of the many open days and information events being held in colleges and other places of learning as part of the campaign entitled Your Future Your Choice Your Action, funded jointly by the Assembly Government and the European Social Fund.
Shane originally aimed to work in engineering and after an initial college course in tool making secured an apprenticeship at a nearby factory where he completed his level 3 qualification. Moreover his commitment and aptitude earned him the college’s City and Guilds student of the year award.
But the nature of factory work meant his condition deteriorated, he had to endure numerous hospital visits and was forced to shelve his ambitions.
After two years of intensive treatment his condition became more manageable and Shane set his sights on a new career. He joined the shared apprenticeship scheme at Coleg Sir Gar Ammanford campus and, despite continuing to struggle with his condition he achieved an NVQ Level 2 in carpentry and a distinction in his intermediate construction award exam.
Shane has now passed his NVQ level three in carpentry and is studying for an HNC in Construction Management while working for Parker Plant in Llanelli where he is gaining valuable experience of the industry.
He has earned high praised from his tutors for his unrivalled efforts, often having to work much harder than his peers so he doesn’t fall behind. Shane will often face hospital stays of up to two weeks at a time but has refused to let this get in his way, often taking college textbooks with him to the ward.
Shane said: “I was bitterly disappointed when I had to put my learning on hold. Working in a factory really affected my condition, I was in and out of hospital for a couple of years but thankfully now I can continue.
“I didn’t want to sit around and do nothing and a career as a carpenter really interested me so I returned to college to help me along the way. I am so pleased I did because I am thoroughly enjoying what I’m doing, I have to work twice as hard as everyone else due to my illness but it is definitely worth it. My dream is to run my own business and because I returned to learning it is now a real possibility.”
Leighton Andrews, Minister for Children, Education Lifelong Learning, praised Shane’s willingness to tackle a major new learning challenge despite the early setback, and stressed the importance of people of all ages improving their knowledge and skills.
He said: “It’s important for the competitiveness and prosperity of Wales that more individuals choose to increase their knowledge, skills and qualifications, whether it is in basic skills such as literacy and numeracy or through one of the thousands of vocational or academic courses available. Whatever their situation, I would encourage people to consider all the options and grasp these opportunities.”
People eager to pursue new skills in 2011 are being urged to visit the website www.yourfuturechoiceaction.org.uk.
