Emily has recently completed her apprenticeship in Adult Care, we took the opportunity to catch up with her and find out more about her journey and how the apprenticeship has impacted her career and personal life.
Tell us about yourself.
Emily is a Support Worker, working for Longhurst Group. Longhurst Group is one of the largest housing groups in the Midlands and East of England, managing over 23,000 homes and delivers a wide range of care and support services.
Why an apprenticeship?
I moved to the United Kingdom, 12 years ago, having studied Business Administration, Accountancy and Management, and decided to start a career in the care industry, with no qualifications or experience in care.
Having started working with the Longhurst group, in September 2015 as a Support Worker, I wanted to find out about furthering my career options within the care industry.
Following discussions with my manager and colleagues, I was recommended an apprenticeship, as a way to develop my skills and knowledge of the care industry. Providing me with a knowledge base to progress in my career.
Initially, I was overwhelmed with the apprenticeship at first, However, I was quickly supported and assured of my capabilities and what I needed to demonstrate. My tutor supported me to idenfify SMART, short goals throughout. This allowed me to tackle the apprenticeship is small bite-size chunks, which worked around my daily tasks.
What development opportunities did the apprenticeship offer you?
My apprenticeship offered me a regular training session with an experienced tutor, completing observations and knowledge development and even the opportunities to develop my everyday English and Maths skills by gaining my level 2 Functional Skills.
How have your benefited personally and professional from the apprenticeship?
Throughout the apprenticeship, I have grown in self-confidence, helping me to have the right understanding to fulfil duties. I now have the knowledge and experience to be able to deal with situations that may occur, acting on my initiative.
I have a better understanding of my role, enabling me to challenge others and rectify problems.
For example, due to constantly changing procedures and legislation, we all must adhere to policies, which need addressing ad updating.
Also, I am now contributing ideas to my manager and colleagues; ways I feel we can improve our service.
How has the apprenticeship changed how people think of you?
Since studying my apprenticeship, I have been praised for my achievements, even featuring in the company’s monthly newsletter.
Tell us about your End Point Assessment
I was confident leading up to my End Point Assessment, as my tutor Mohammed, had spent time with me preparing me. I was aiming for a pass, but instead gained a distinction, which demonstrates my wealth of knowledge and skills which has motivated me.
Would you recommend an apprenticeship to others?
Yes, this apprenticeship has boosted my confidence once again, giving me the ability to succeed. I feel like a new person.
What do you plan to do next?
I’d like to take a break from learning, however, I would love to do undertake the Level 3 Apprenticeship and then proceed onto the Level 5 programme.
Few words from Emily’s tutor, Mohammed Arfan
It has been a pleasure to work with Emily, seeing her grow throughout the apprenticeship, she is like a different person.
(Photo: Emily receiving her Level 2 Adult Care Certificates)
We create bespoke apprenticeship programmes that tie into your business needs and objectives, designed to complement existing internal training schemes and add real value to the growth and development of your business.
Each Apprenticeship programme has its own Standard linked to a specific occupation – these are rigorous, challenging and require the Apprentice to undertake a minimum of one year’s training followed by an End-Point Assessment (EPA).