Part of the Etc.
A career in care was clearly the right path for Victoria. In fact, after picking up a host of new skills through the Redcar & Cleveland Care Academy, the Grangetown mum-of-two got her pick of jobs.
“I went from not being able to get a job to being offered four,” said the 27-year-old from Grangetown.
Opting for a position as a support worker with Creative Support, Victoria is now loving every minute.
“It doesn’t feel like work,” she said. “I really do enjoy it.”
Inspired to take a change in career direction after caring for her terminally ill father, she said: “When he passed this was what I wanted to do.”
She said the sector-based course, which is run in partnership with Redcar & Cleveland College, Redcar & Cleveland Council, Job Centre Plus, Beyond Housing and local care employers, offered the ideal solution.
By working directly with care companies, the academy teaches a range of introductory sector-based skills as well as broader lessons covering subjects such as CV writing, career planning and interview techniques. It also offers a guaranteed interview to all those who successfully complete the six-week programme.
Victoria said: “The course was perfect as it fit around my children, it got me an interview and helped with my CV.”
Meeting the Creative Support team through the course, she explained: “I had my heart set on working for them.”
When it came to her interview, she said: “I was nervous, but I was thrilled when I was chosen.”
Now employed as a support worker, Victoria is first to admit it is a long way from her career before having children, working with horses in an event yard. She said: “It has pushed me into something that I probably would have never gone into, but I love it.”
Working with people of all different ages with a variety of support needs, she said: “I don’t see it as hard work because it is offering support to people that need it. Seeing that you have made the difference to someone’s day gives you that sense of joy.”
Do you want to learn the skills for a career in care? The next Redcar & Cleveland Care Academy is due to start at Redcar & Cleveland College on April 8. For further information, come along to our information session at the College on Monday April 1 at 10am.
Applicants must be aged 18 or over and wish to gain employment in the adult care sector. To get involved call 01642 865561 or email: employability@stockton.ac.uk
“I went from not being able to get a job to being offered four,” said the 27-year-old from Grangetown.
Opting for a position as a support worker with Creative Support, Victoria is now loving every minute.
“It doesn’t feel like work,” she said. “I really do enjoy it.”
Inspired to take a change in career direction after caring for her terminally ill father, she said: “When he passed this was what I wanted to do.”
She said the sector-based course, which is run in partnership with Redcar & Cleveland College, Redcar & Cleveland Council, Job Centre Plus, Beyond Housing and local care employers, offered the ideal solution.
By working directly with care companies, the academy teaches a range of introductory sector-based skills as well as broader lessons covering subjects such as CV writing, career planning and interview techniques. It also offers a guaranteed interview to all those who successfully complete the six-week programme.
Victoria said: “The course was perfect as it fit around my children, it got me an interview and helped with my CV.”
Meeting the Creative Support team through the course, she explained: “I had my heart set on working for them.”
When it came to her interview, she said: “I was nervous, but I was thrilled when I was chosen.”
Now employed as a support worker, Victoria is first to admit it is a long way from her career before having children, working with horses in an event yard. She said: “It has pushed me into something that I probably would have never gone into, but I love it.”
Working with people of all different ages with a variety of support needs, she said: “I don’t see it as hard work because it is offering support to people that need it. Seeing that you have made the difference to someone’s day gives you that sense of joy.”
Do you want to learn the skills for a career in care? The next Redcar & Cleveland Care Academy is due to start at Redcar & Cleveland College on April 8. For further information, come along to our information session at the College on Monday April 1 at 10am.
Applicants must be aged 18 or over and wish to gain employment in the adult care sector. To get involved call 01642 865561 or email: employability@stockton.ac.uk
