A brighter future for Comfort

Having moved to the UK a year ago from Nigeria, Comfort struggled to find employment after previously working as a chemistry teacher overseas. When she heard about Redcar and Cleveland College’s Care Academy Bespoke Employer Led Programme (BELP) via her housing provider, she jumped at the opportunity to apply her transferable skills.

Comfort said: “I was a teacher in Nigeria for many years and left to travel on a community mission project covering much of Africa as part of a charity I run. Once I arrived in the UK I had tried multiple routes into work with no success, and this course was perfect for what I wanted to do next.”

The free course Comfort enrolled on was the Care Academy, a programme which includes Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care, Level 2 Food Hygiene, Emergency First Aid at Work, Care sector job skills and a free DBS. For those that completed the course in full, there was also a guaranteed interview with Tees Valley Care, a social care provider in the North-east. Through this interview process, Comfort is now looking forward to starting at the organisation as a support worker.

Comfort praises the experience she had with the college, saying she gained so much more than just knowledge. She said: “The tutors and careers advisors are great, and they not only taught me the course content but also helped me to integrate into the country, access systems I didn’t understand and learn how the education system works here. That’s support I hadn’t received from anywhere else in the same way.

“I have a brighter outlook for my future now. I want to be able to support myself and not rely on anyone else, and working alongside learning helps me to do that.”

Adult skills tutor, Alison said: “Comfort’s motivation and commitment is commendable. I have always encouraged her to chase her dreams and ask for support where she needs it. Her passion for helping people drives everything she does, and the industry is lucky to have her.”

Long term, Comfort will be working in the care sector whilst studying for her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) part time, with a hope of one day getting back into teaching.

As an employer, investing in a Bespoke Employer Led Programme (BELP) is a great way to diversify recruitment and access talented people who are ready to learn. Get in touch: business@the-etc.ac.uk

Bespoke Employer Led Programmes (BELPS) are delivered with funding from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority through its Adult Skills Fund.