A 68-year-old bass guitar-playing former scientist has won a major award after helping hundreds of people in Ebbw Vale to gain qualifications.

Part-time adult education tutor Ian Howells has been changing lives in the town since 2001, and his commitment to the learning of others has earned him recognition at the Inspire! Tutor Awards.

The awards celebrate the achievements of exceptional tutors and mentors in Wales who have shown outstanding passion and commitment to encourage other adult learners to pursue their goals and transform their lives.

Mr Howells, who has a serious visual impairment which means he often needs a magnifying glass to read, tutors at Ebbw Vale Learning Action Centre, run by Aneurin Leisure, helping people aged 16 to 84 improve their skills in English and Maths.

He continued: “The hardest part of adult learning is making that first step.

“I know what a big thing it is for them to walk through that door - if I asked them to come back next week, they probably wouldn’t. We make room.”

Many of Mr Howells’ learners on his 10 courses ranging from entry level in English and Maths to higher level GCSE Maths have had to overcome barriers to learning – such as drug and alcohol issues and poor mental and physical health.

“I had an 80-year-old who didn’t know the alphabet,” said Ian, who lives in Ebbw Vale.

“By the end, he could write his name. Which was a major thing for.

“Some people come here with no confidence, many have been out of work for years, and they go on to get a job.”

Ian studied Microbiology at Aberystwyth University before spending years working for British Steel at Llanwern Steel Works.

After leaving science to work in fashion, aged 52, he completed his PGCE course in adult education at Coleg Gwent. He said: “I didn’t plan to become a teacher, but it was the only course they had on!”

Ian finished the course while balancing running two clothing stores (including The Bomb on Commercial Street, Tredegar) and playing in his heavy metal band, Ruff Handfull several nights a week.

The band, set up with friends when he was 23, enjoyed a sizeable following in the Valleys during the 70s. Reforming 18 months ago, his students now go along to watch him play in pubs and clubs across South Wales.

Karen Bennett, Ian’s manager at Aneurin Leisure, who nominated him, said: “Ian has changed the lives of hundreds of learners and his success rate is exceptional. He puts in so many hours, much of it unpaid, and I’ve never known him to be late or ill.

“I really don’t know what I’d do if he retired.”

Kirsty Williams, Minister for Education, said: “The Inspire! Tutor Awards are a great way to thank people like Ian whose skills, time and commitment continue to support so many journeys in learning, often with life-changing results.”

The Inspire! Tutor Awards are funded by The Welsh Government and the European Social Fund and organised by the Learning and Work Institute Wales.

For more information about adult learning or becoming a tutor, call 0800 028 4844.