Apprenticeship puts career in care on track for Elizabeth

Leading training provider Qube Learning worked closely with Avery Healthcare to seek the perfect candidate for a health and social care apprenticeship. Together they found a motivated individual, Elizabeth, who had always known she wanted to pursue a profession in care, as she grew up in a large family for whom caring and nurturing was a priority.

The apprenticeship appealed to Elizabeth as it enabled her to take part in a practical programme with a premium care provider, gaining valuable life experiences, whilst being supported in her training by the OFSTED grade 2 (Good) rated organisation, Qube Learning.

Elizabeth’s first rotation was in the provision of recreation and leisure activities for elderly residents. She embraced the role and has never looked back. The combination of practical work and training has given Elizabeth the benefit of being able to put the theory she has learnt into context with the residents she supports every day. Crucially, the training has given Elizabeth the confidence to support and communicate with residents during their final stages of life, providing them with respectful care.

Elizabeth said: “I love building a connection with residents, understanding their personal histories and in turn becoming a part of their lives today. It is important to show compassion and care for people at the home and allow them to feel completely safe and at ease in their environment.”

Elizabeth faced a major challenge during her training, as her Mum sadly passed away. This made Elizabeth question her ability to cope and manage day-to-day life whilst grieving herself and supporting the rest of her family. However, with the encouragement of the teams at Avery Healthcare and Qube Learning, along with her own passion, determination and vigour, Elizabeth successfully completed her apprenticeship.

Elizabeth’s long-term goal is to become a care home manager, an ambition which her apprenticeship has put her on track to achieve. Once her 24-month apprenticeship programme was complete, she continued to work with Avery Healthcare at Newcross Care Home and was offered the job of healthcare assistant. Elizabeth successfully progressed to a Level 2 qualification and on completion was asked to support the senior staff by becoming a ‘step-up senior'. This gave her the opportunity to advance to a Level 3 Diploma in health and social care, which she achieved and became a senior care assistant.

Elizabeth has built up a vast amount of knowledge and practical experience in the less-than-five years since starting. She strongly believes that without completing her apprenticeship, she would never have reached her current position of unit manager. Elizabeth’s achievements to date have given her the confidence to focus on becoming a care home manager, which is a very real possibility for the future.

Now embarking on a leadership and management qualification, Elizabeth said: “The apprenticeship has changed my life and I feel privileged to have been given this opportunity.”