Over the coming weeks the Queenstown Times will be profiling students - past and present - at the Otago Polytechnic Central Otago Campus' Queenstown Learning Centre. We begin our series with the woman in charge of helping the students realise their dreams, team leader Al Williams.
Ms Williams (41) left the United Kingdom 12 years ago with her partner, planning an "around-the-world adventure".
And then the couple reached Queenstown.
They have now called the resort home for 12 years and expanded their family with two young boys.
Ms Williams said she took on the job at the learning centre, part of the Otago Polytechnic Central Otago Campus, six years ago, teaching students aged 16 to 87 about business administration, computing and design, as well as English as a second language, offering heavily subsidised courses for people looking to upskill.
"Here people learn what they want or need to.
"We don't cover ground that people already know - we get people to work on the gaps in their knowledge.
"Our learning centre is just a fantastic facility.
"We have a lovely space in Camp St where people can access our resources, from computer suites to meeting rooms at a very low cost."
Courses included national certificate in business administration, design and computing, were not a financial burden and resulted in qualifications and jobs, she said.
"Self-paced" computer courses were also available, which could "change the game for people", with Mac courses to be introduced at the centre next year.
• For more information about programmes offered by the Otago Polytechnic Community Learning Centre, phone (03) 441-3569.
