37-year-old Paul Sutton started an Apprenticeship
programme in horticulture at YMCA Training Salford in March
2010.
Paul already had a wide range of practical skills and was
employed in a horticulture role on behalf of Salford Council, but
he proactively wanted to improve his reading and writing
skills.
Paul openly admitted that he had messed around at school and now
regretted it. He had found ways of masking his difficulties
in reading and writing to such an extent that no-one would have
thought he had any problems.
With great determination, working mainly at home, Paul undertook
Level 1 Key Skills in literacy and numeracy. After several attempts
he eventually passed the online test, and completed his portfolio
for both of these Key Skills.
Paul completed his horticulture Apprenticeship successfully, and
has been inspiring others in a similar position to him to get
qualified and improve their situation ever since.
Paul said: "Anything is possible if you put in the
effort. I didn't attend school as I should have and so I have
always lacked confidence especially in writing. My confidence is
much better now and I feel like a new man."
Paul is now planning to progress to an Advanced Apprenticeship
in horticulture using his new-found ability and confidence.