A GRANDFATHER who went back to the classroom at 64 hopes his story will inspire others to return to education.

Tom Bartley, of Ringway Avenue in Leigh, was recently named runner-up in the Liverpool City Region Apprentice of the Year awards after being nominated by his college.

He said his achievements proved you are never too old to take on a new challenge.

“I would say to people to just get out there and do it,” he said.

“Opportunities are there for you if you want to take them.”

Tom and his wife Marjorie, who have three grown-up grandchildren, were invited to a grand ceremony at St George’s Hall in Liverpool after he was nominated as one of the region’s top apprentices.

He finished as a runner-up in the 24 and over category.

He admitted he had been scared to go to St Helen’s College, but was immediately put at ease when he started his apprenticeship programme in health and social care.

“The youngsters were all very respectful and I was just seen as one of them,” said Tom, who went on to complete an intermediate and advanced apprenticeship.

“The biggest difference I noticed from when I was at school was that everything is at their fingertips now. If they need to know anything they can just google it.”

As well as gaining his qualifications, Tom learned some computing skills at college but still opted for the traditional approach when completing assignments.

“Everyone was using a computer, but I handwrote most of my work,” he said.

Tom, a former bus driver and shopkeeper, is now one of three carers who look after a man with autism. He is now 65 and hopes to work at least another five years thanks to the confidence boost he received from late education.

“I just hope people realise they are not over the hill at 50,” he said.

“My qualification has changed my life and it could do the same for other people.”