Curtis Cana, a former award-winning student and Enterprise intern at Gower College Swansea, recently returned to the Tycoch campus to inspire the next generation of Health & Social Care students.
As well as being named the college's overall Health & Social Care Student of the Year in 2015, Curtis - who volunteered as a youth worker for the local authority for many years - was also nominated as a Swansea Bay Young Achiever in recognition of his youth support work in Blaenymaes.
“This was a fantastic opportunity for our new students to hear directly from Curtis, who has been an excellent ambassador not only for the Health & Social Care and Enterprise departments, but for the whole college," says lecturer Kelly Mcginnes. “During his time as a student, Curtis achieved fantastic results despite his many other commitments and always strove to maintain a high academic profile, proving to be both an excellent role model and an inspiration. Utilising his youth leadership skills, he endeavoured to promote young peoples' voices and ambitions."
Curtis, who is now studying towards a degree in Youth & Community Work at Cardiff Metropolitan University, was delighted to return to the college and share his experiences.
"Curtis has such great qualities – enthusiasm, perseverance and compassion for others - which he demonstrates continually,” adds Enterprise Officer Lucy Turtle. "His goal after university is to set up a youth club and provide studios for recording, DJ and dance workshops where creative people can gather to develop their business ideas and work towards future events. If anyone can make this happen - it's Curtis!"
To find out more about becoming an Enterprise Intern at Gower College Swansea, please contact Enterprise Officer Lucy Turtle via email – lucy.turtle@gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk