How builder transformed his life after work injury

Marc Catford thought his working life was over when an accident forced him to give up his building job.

But thanks to the Open University (OU) he is well on the way to a new career as a teacher – despite leaving school at 16 with few qualifications.

Marc, 39, from Knowle West, is a teaching assistant at the Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe – a school that provides education and training for all ages, from three-year-olds to adults.

He is also studying part-time for a degree in design technology with the OU, which will allow him to move on and gain postgraduate teaching qualifications.

He said: "I never imagined I would end up taking a degree.

"I left school with just a handful of poor grades – I must admit I was a bit of a clown in the classroom and just wasted my time."

After leaving Merrywood Boys' School in the mid-1980s, Marc could not go to college or join an apprenticeship because of his poor grades.

Instead he went into the building trade and moved from job to job, gaining experience and skills as a carpenter as he went along.

But in 2005 he was injured when he fell off a roof and had to give up building work.

After his recovery he tried an office job but found it was not for him.

He said: "I was there for two months and I could feel the boredom creeping in."

Everything changed for Marc when he got a job as a woodwork technician at Hartcliffe Engineering Community College, the forerunner of the secondary section of the Bridge Learning Campus.

After gaining teaching assistant qualifications, he soon found himself training 14 to 16 year-olds in construction skills – and he loved it.

"When I said I wanted to be a teacher I was told I needed a degree.

"I thought, you're joking – I didn't even get an O-level."

But his lack of qualifications from school was not an issue.

"The OU allowed him to enrol without formal entry requirements.

"I just think the Open University is an amazing organisation.

"If I'd walked into any other university and said 'I'd like a place please' they would have said you need the right entry criteria, such as A-levels.

"And what I love about the OU is that they take you in so gradually – before you know it you're doing A-level work and then degree level work.

"For anyone who says 'I don't think I can do that', my message is 'yes you can'."

The Open University is offering free advice this weekend to anyone seeking to become better qualified, improve promotion prospects or change careers as the recession bites.

Careers advisers from the OU will be at the JobServe Live event at the Bristol Marriott Hotel in Lower Castle Street, Old Market, tomorrow Fridayfrom 11-5pm and Saturday from 11-4pm.

The event is free, and offers a range of advice sessions and demonstrations on job-seeking and career issues.

The qualified staff can offer a wealth of advice and guidance, as well as information on Open University courses.

OU courses are designed for study at home or work, in your own time and no matter where you live. They use many different ways of teaching, including face-to-face and online tutorials, DVDs and course books.

Students are well supported via personal contact with a local tutor and the OU learner support team at their Bristol Office at at 4 Portwall Lane, Bristol BS1 6ND, tel 0117 9299641 email south-west@open.ac.uk

Open University degrees are open to all, regardless of qualifications or ageApart from those studying for degrees, many OU students follow courses related to professional development, often leading to certificate or diploma qualifications.

Julie Kirkby, an OU careers adviser based in Bristol, said: “The recession has brought things to a head for many. People are feeling more vulnerable in their jobs, so they see improving their qualifications as a way of helping them stay in work.

“We are also seeing more and more people changing career direction because their job may be coming to an end. Studying with the OU can fit in with those plans and help you take a new direction.”