Aoife Grimes, Essential Skills Learner of the Year, at the OCN 2026 Learning Endeavour Awards.
Aoife Grimes, from People 1st, has been named joint winner Essential Skills Learner of the Year at the OCN 2026 Learning Endeavour Awards. The award recognises Aoife’s outstanding commitment to personal development, her determination to overcome challenges, and her dedication to building the skills needed to achieve her future ambitions.
Over the past year, Aoife has made remarkable progress, growing in confidence and embracing every opportunity with positivity, resilience, and enthusiasm. Living with scoliosis and having undergone open heart surgery, Aoife has never allowed her circumstances to define her or limit her aspirations.
Through her OCN qualifications in Essential Skills - ICT, along with her vocational qualification, she has developed valuable skills and a strong belief in her own abilities, Her hard work and determination have opened pathways to further education and future apprenticeship opportunities in Northern Ireland.
Aoife has also excelled beyond the classroom. She thrived during her work placement in the nursery class of a local primary school where her caring nature and positive attitude made a lasting impression. Aoife also volunteered weekly as a family contact centre support worker. Aoife continues to inspire others daily with her enthusiasm, warm smile and friendly personality.
Congratulations, Aoife, on this well-deserved achievement, and best wishes for your continued success in the future.
Watch Aoife's Interview
