Learner stories
Learners of all levels are realising their career ambitions with our work-based qualifications and programmes. Read our learner stories to see how these individuals are developing the skills they need to be successful at work.
Worked as a chef and wanted to move into the security industry
Delroy found that new opportunities for work opened up when he developed his enterprise and employability skills. WorkSkills qualifications provide learners with these key skills, which they can use as a springboard into self-employment - like Delroy - or to help them get a new role.
Find out more about WorkSkills
My beginning
I was working for Forte Post House Hotels as a chef, which I really enjoyed, but I was looking for a change of career.
My challenge
I am always keen to learn, enjoyed school and have kept up an interest in learning ever since. But I didn't have the right skills for the job role I wanted.
My journey
I wanted to move into the security industry and saw the course at Free2Learn. The course focused on skills to be successful in the industry as part of the WorkSkills qualification. I learnt how to build effective relationships with customers and colleagues and how teamwork and self-management is important to being successful in the security industry.
Left school and wanted to progress to a career in sport
Learners like Ryan need to get practical experience to keep them engaged, but also to develop fundamental skills like English and maths to improve their chances of getting a job. A Traineeship from Pearson gives you the ideal framework to design a programme that offers both.
Find out more about Pearson Traineeships
My beginning
I left school with mainly Ds in my GCSEs and a Level 1 fitness qualification. I didn’t have any real problems at school but I found it hard to concentrate on things which I wasn’t interested in. I have always really enjoyed sport.
My challenge
I wanted to progress to a career in sport but my qualifications weren’t good enough and I lacked confidence.
My journey
My careers advisor told me about the traineeship programme and it seemed like a good option for me. It gave me the opportunity to combine studying things like teamwork, communication and, most importantly for me, a meaningful work placement.
During my work placement at York City, I promoted football in schools by coaching children and passing on my love of the game. I feel confident now in the way I coach the sport and my punctuality has also improved. I want to be a football coach and the club have kept me on now the course has finished.
Left college and wanted to work with children
Learners like Jamie Lee have the abilities but it's essential that they experience a real work environment, so they appreciate the demands of employment. Skilled for Life's unitised structure allows you to address personal skills gaps without the burden of a full qualification, helping to unlock learners' natural talents.
Find out more about Skilled for Life
My beginning
When I left college I wanted to work with children but wasn't sure how to go about it or whether I was suitable. I did quite well at school and college. I achieved four GCSEs, a maths qualification and a BTEC Level 2 in Occupational Care.
My challenge
I'm a little shy and not that confident around people but I seemed to be better with little people. I also have a problem with my punctuality.
My journey
At Dairy Farm Training, I used SelfSmart to look at the skills I do have and those I don’t. I took a programme that uses Skilled for Life, which helped me see where I am going and how to build the skills to get where I wanted to be. The programme gave me the chance to see what the real world of work was like.
I spent time in a hairdressers and nursery. Using the techniques that SelfSmart taught me, I am now much more confident and able to talk to people much more easily. I now know that I want to be a nursery teacher and hope to progress onto a childcare course to help me get there.
Left school and did an art course but felt unprepared for employment
Poppy completed a traineeship, which gave her the opportunity to improve her employability skills through a work placement. She was able to secure a full time role that she enjoys and is suited to her interests and skills.
Find out about Traineeships from Pearson
My beginning
I left school with some good qualifications. I did an art course as I had already been interested in art. I didn’t have any thoughts on what job I would like to do.
My challenge
After the art course, I was unsure what I wanted to do as a job so I quickly lost motivation and ended up sitting around not doing anything.
My journey
I saw a careers advisor at York College and they advised me to give a traineeship a go. It combined a work placement at Hemsley Arts Centre where I worked on my employability skills. It also helped with my ICT skills, the presentation of my work and my confidence within a group.
I am now working at the arts centre full time in hospitality and performance, meeting and greeting customers and going into schools doing workshops and plays. I want to go into acting.
Left college with an interest in fitness and wants to be a personal trainer
Learners like Declan need to experience what work is really like so that they can progress and make the most of their abilities. Skilled for Life’s unitised structure lets you address personal skills gaps outside a full qualification, so learners can appreciate the demands of employment as well as show their talents.
Find out more about Skilled for Life
My beginning
I approached school and college as a means to an end. I was there for a good time not a long time. I did ok in a range of subjects – office admin, art, digital and media but I didn’t really see where it would take me for a job.
My challenge
I did not have great maths and English qualifications. I also needed to improve my listening skills.
My journey
Skilled for Life enabled me to improve my maths, English and listening skills. I’ve done some work in a bar/restaurant as part of my work experience but I’d like to train as a personal trainer. I can see how that industry has lots of opportunities for me to progress in the gym industry but I would like to work for myself. Without Skilled for Life I don’t think I would have seen this as possible.
Left school with poor grades and wants to be a hairdresser
It's essential for learners like Shauna to start with the basics, and to gain a proper understanding of their interpersonal skills. Bite-size qualifications within the Skilled for Life programme can help with the former, while SelfSmart can help them to understand and master the behaviours needed in the workplace.
Find out more about Skilled for Life
Check out our SelfSmart diagnostic tool
My beginning
I left school last year and I was always in trouble. I didn’t perform well in the academic environment and always looked to do other things rather than study. I didn’t do very well in my GCSEs as I didn’t see the point in them but achieved whilst studying my BTECs.
My challenge
I left school with poor grades and needed to develop skills in English and maths.
My journey
At Dairy Farm I used SelfSmart and the Skilled for Life programme to develop skills in English and maths. I also saw that being creative and chatty is a good thing if it's directed in the right way. Through my work experience in hairdressing I want to use Functional Skills and gain more qualifications through Skilled for Life before starting an apprenticeship in hairdressing.
Left college with no qualifications that would help with a job
Learners like Phillip who have a difficult start need to equip themselves with in-demand, transferable skills. They need flexible programmes, like Skilled for Life, that can be tailored to their individual skill profiles and include work experience to help them understand the demands of unfamiliar environments.
Find out more about Skilled for Life
My beginning
Before I started at Dairy Farm life wasn’t great. I was skint, and I hadn’t had a great time at school and was really not sure what I was good at or what I wanted to do.
My challenge
I didn’t have any qualifications including maths and English. I found it hard to get into a routine and I didn’t have a good attendance record.
My journey
The small bite-size chunks of learning that Skilled for Life gives me, means I don’t fall that far behind and it's focused. I am still not sure what I am really good at, but I know that the work experience part of the programme has taught me a lot. I’m now focused to get my English, maths and IT Functional Skills alongside further units in sport and personal development.
Well qualified and skilled in current role but wanted to develop skills to further career
Learners like Simone might already be established in a job but want to build on their skills to help move their career to the next level. WorkSkills qualifications are a great way to do this, and they're flexible enough to fit in and around work.
Find out more about WorkSkills
My beginning
I would describe myself as well qualified to Level 6 with a wealth of experience in my current sector having worked for the police and the Home Office.
My challenge
I am qualified in my current role but had no opportunities to develop new skills to further my career.
My journey
I started at Free2Learn to increase my flexibility and improve my skills in areas outside of my current job role. I have used the WorkSkills qualification as part of my close protection programmes to develop my teamwork and further my career.