A KILBIRNIE man has been recognized for his achievements nationally at a prestigious award ceremony.

At the Scotlands’ Learning Partnership’s Adult Learners' Week Awards on Thursday, February 2, Ian Shaw was presented with the Individual Award at a glittering night and dinner in the Doubletree Hilton, Bellshill.

Ian was formally recognized for his work with Project Kilbirnie and for volunteering in his local community with North Ayrshire Council.

His tireless efforts in initiating projects for the benefit of Kilbirnie and Glengarnock has resulted in local unemployed people broadening their skills, knowledge and experience, building their confidence and making them more employable.

Adult Learners’ Week is the UK’s largest festival of learning and the overall purpose is to celebrate the achievements of adult learners to help raise demand for and participation in adult learning and skills.

It highlights the benefits of learning of all kinds, learning for work, non-formal learning as well as learning for personal development.

This year marks the 25th Adult Learners’ Week in Scotland.

The initiative continues to be the largest drive for learning of its kind - celebrated in over 55 countries across the world.

Founded by NIACE and co-ordinated in Scotland by Scotland’s Learning Partnership - Adult Learners’ Week has traditionally been supported by the European Social Fund, Local Authorities, STV, BBC, the OU, STUC, Chambers of Commerce, CBI, Colleges and Universities in Scotland.

Over the past 10 years many of the Adult Learners’ Week award winners have gone on to set up their own businesses, work as chief executives of charities and private companies and lead government departments.

But what makes this a remarkable achievement is that they have succeeded in doing this by taking part in non-formal adult learning classes, often for the first time since leaving school, and used this as a springboard to better things.

Their achievements, and the awards presented on February 2 show what can be achieved with determination and the right kind of help and support at the right time.

They reflect the fact that learning, in all its guises, enables people to achieve their dreams, change their own lives, the lives of their families and support others to make the most of themselves.