With no previous qualifications and limited IT skills, Karen was apprehensive about commencing an Apprenticeship. However she knew that to develop her career, build her team leading skills and develop essential IT skills she would have to re-engage with education. Once she decided to make this step Karen committed herself wholeheartedly. Karen’s Assessor, Sebastian Chambers, comments on her good progress so far:

“Karen was initially very nervous about using a computer as she had no experience of using one at all. I was able to put her at ease by letting her know that she could develop her skills at her own pace and that I would support and guide her throughout. Karen has made immense strides with her ICT skills; she has gone from not being able to switch the laptop on to connecting to wi-fi and searching the internet. She has since bought herself a laptop and started using the internet daily for both professional and personal activities. It has taken her less than a month to learn this essential life skill”

Karen’s enthusiasm and progress has not gone unnoticed by her employer. Karen’s line manager commented:

“From speaking with Karen and my own observation’s I know that she is progressing really well. Karen always speaks enthusiastically about tasks set by Sebastian and research she’s conducted. Karen always shares any accomplishments she has made be it passing a test to finding out something new. Karen is a very experienced and knowledgeable person and it has been great to see her realise this as her self-confidence develops during the course of her qualification”

With Sebastian’s support, Karen is on target to complete her Apprenticeship ahead of schedule and she is already looking forward to increases in responsibility at work as a result of her qualification.