Herman Pienaar from Bermondsey has beaten 65,000 fellow learners to be named as Student of the Year 2010 by Home Learning College – the UK’s biggest provider of professionally accredited distance learning courses. The award was presented this month in recognition of Mr Pienaar’s progression through his Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) training.
This is the fourth year running that Home Learning College has recognised the achievements of students with an official award. Tutors nominate the learners who demonstrate exceptional commitment to their studies in terms of grades and duration of study.
Mr Pienaar has successfully completed AAT Levels 2 and 3 with Home Learning College, achieving mostly A grades throughout. He is now progressing well through Level 4, with the expectation that he will sit his second exam in later this month. Upon completion of Level 4, he will gain full accounting technician status. Mr Pienaar’s tutors describe him as an exceptional student who is polite and a joy to teach.
“After leaving school I spent four years in the British Army followed by two years as a security officer, but my goal was to develop a career in accounting,” says Mr Pienaar. “Through my research I knew AAT was a great entry level route into this profession, so I decided to look on the internet for a training provider. I was working full time so I made the decision to study by distance learning, and Home Learning College was the obvious choice for me due to the quality of support and high pass rates.
“I won’t deny that combining full time work with study can be challenging at times. However, my family are very supportive and because the course is delivered by distance learning I can put in extra time when needed. This level of flexibility suits me perfectly and has allowed me to do well in my exams so far.
“Once I’ve completed AAT Level 4 I plan to work towards a CIMA qualification, with the end goal of becoming a chartered accountant and opening my own practice. Being named as Home Learning College’s Student of the Year was a real achievement and gives me even greater incentive to achieve my goals.”