A mature apprentice from Solihull College & University Centre has completed her healthcare apprenticeship after deciding to take her career in a new direction.
After 10 years in the advertising and marketing industry, Elizabeth Boorer, 36 from Acocks Green, decided to follow her passion and took steps to build a career in the care sector. She has recently completed her NCFE Level 2 Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship with the College amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of her apprenticeship, Elizabeth studied at the College’s Blossomfield Campus one day per week. She comments: “I would recommend it to someone that had no healthcare experience at all – like myself. It was a great foundation and gives you all the knowledge required to ensure you are following best practice and you are delivering safe and high-quality care and support to your patients. When I showed the nurses on my ward what I was learning they were really surprised about the level of detail.”
Completing her apprenticeship in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic has proven less difficult than Elizabeth had imagined. The NCFE assessors quickly adapted and everything was completed remotely.
Elizabeth comments: “The apprenticeship has really helped me in my role as Clinical Support Worker at Warwick Hospital and it has given me a lot more confidence. My tutor was fantastic, she was really supportive throughout and always there when I needed anything.”
Concerned that apprenticeships were only for young people, Elizabeth was hesitant at first. She states: “I was a 34-year-old Mum and I was worried I would look out of place. However, my tutor was supportive and assured me that apprenticeships were suitable for all ages. So, if anyone is put off for the same reason – don’t be. It has been a great way to learn and it was also re-assuring to know I was being paid while I was studying.”
Elizabeth plans to continue her study and progress through the nursing ranks as her children get older.
