Michael Dixon was heading towards his 50th birthday when he decided to challenge himself to complete the SDC’s Foundation Textile Coloration Certificate. He’s so glad he did – and kindly agreed to explain why, in our regular student profile blog spot! Name: Michael Dixon Job: Blending/Dyehouse manager Employer: Abraham Moon & Son, Guiseley, West Yorkshire, UK I set out on the FTCC course firstly for obvious work-related reasons but in the back of my mind as a working man in textiles for over 32 years, I wanted to see if coming up to my 50th birthday I could still achieve more academically. I wanted to add to my textile manufacturing knowledge and move out of my comfort zone by going back into studying. Passing the course gave me a huge sense of achievement and belief in my own ability, because I never thought I could have done it – just ask my tutor, Dr Sue Hulbert! Sue really supported me during my time on the course through her superb teaching and help along the way. I was in a cohort with three other students, and we all battled through and got the grades we needed. To be able to pass some knowledge and ideas I learned during the course onto my colleagues has been very rewarding. Hopefully by helping them, I can inspire other people to push themselves like I did, and maybe try something out of their comfort zone. I am proof that it can certainly be done, with hard work and effort!