Apprenticeship Success Stories

Kyleigh Verlander

Early Years and Education Advanced Apprentice, Welwyn Garden City.

In December 2004, 23-year-old Kyleigh Verlander enrolled onto a Level 2 apprenticeship in early years care and education with YMCA Training in Welwyn Garden City.

Kyleigh found the programme challenging, but she remained motivated and achieved her full apprenticeship in May 2006.

Recognising Kyleigh’s potential, staff at YMCA Training encouraged her to think about progressing onto the Level 3 apprenticeship. She was a natural leader - calm, professional and worked well under pressure - all the attributes needed in childcare.

In September 2006, Kyleigh enrolled onto a Level 3 apprenticeship in children’s care, learning and development (CCLD), again with YMCA Training. During this training, Kyleigh matured greatly - her attendance improved and she increased her levels of knowledge and understanding dramatically, as well as showing excellent leadership skills.

IDA Nursery’s owner, Emma Beer, recognised Kyleigh’s potential and offered her a senior educator role on the condition that she completed her full apprenticeship by January 2008. Kyleigh worked really hard to meet all targets set and achieved her full apprenticeship in January 2008.

Since January 2008, Kyleigh has grown further in confidence and ability. She has been promoted to senior pre-school early educator, and is now third-in-charge. She is a part of the management team and now trains and supports new apprentices within the setting. Kyleigh has also trained to become the nursery’s SENCO (Special Education Needs Coordinator) and has started an Early Years Foundation Degree to follow her dreams of becoming a teacher.

Kyleigh said: “I found I received loads of support and encouragement during my training which made my experience very enjoyable. It has also given me the confidence and knowledge to go on and study for the Early Years Foundation Degree.”

Dean Traynor

Amenity Horticulture Apprentice, Salford

20-year-old Dean Traynor from Salford is flexing his green fingers and developing his career after achieving success in his amenity horticulture apprenticeship.

Dean had a good social and educational background when he joined the programme, but wanted to continue his education in a work-based learning role to improve his practical skills quicker whilst gaining further academic qualifications.

When Dean joined Worsley Golf Course, his role was replacing an experienced greenkeeper which meant he faced the additional expectation of learning the job quickly. As a consequence of this, he was also given more responsibilities at an earlier stage of his apprenticeship, a challenge which he rose to well, showing his commitment at all times, even after breaking his wrist.

Dean’s good standard of maths and english has also meant that he has been able to help other learners, a task which he does willingly and which has led to him encouraging less confident trainees to progress.

Speaking of his training, Dean said: “I have been given the chance to learn, and have accomplished many goals which, without the backing of YMCA Training and my employer, I may never have had the chance to do. I’m really enjoying my work as a greenkeeper and have even signed up as a member to learn how to play golf!”

Dean’s employer, Nigel Smith, said: “Dean is a good team player who is always willing to do any task given to him showing a positive attitude along with this. Throughout his apprenticeship, Dean has become totally competent at all the tasks within the course and is able to perform them all efficiently.”

Winning Streak

Donna has been rewarded for her achievements at both a regional and national level, winning the Personal Achiever of the Year Award (16 - 18 year olds) at the East Midlands Real Success Apprenticeship Awards. She then went on to receive runner-up in the same category at the National Apprenticeship Awards, hosted by the Learning and Skills Council.

Donna was born profoundly deaf and partially blind and has had to work extremely hard throughout her life to overcome these disabilities and to achieve success in her career.

Donna began her Apprenticeship in Early Years and Education at our Northampton centre in September 2004. She spent six months studying full-time at the centre, before taking up various work experience placements. Her training culminated with full-time employment at NuNu Day Nursery, where she is responsible for looking after babies and young children. As a result of all her hard work and dedication, Donna achieved a level 2 Apprenticeship.

Donna enjoys working with children, particularly as they do not discriminate against her difficulties with communication. She commented "I feel that if I can get to my goal, which is to get to Level 3 with my disabilities, then I feel I have achieved something for myself and others like me."

Donna continues to work at NuNu Day Nursery and is currently working towards her level 3 Apprenticeship. She is also studying a sign language course in her spare time.

Shelly's Success Speaks Volumes

19 year old Shelly has recently been highly commended by the City & Guilds for all of her hard work and her successes. When Shelly came to England from China in April 2003 she was unable to speak any English. She joined the Entry to Employment programme at our Salford centre two years later, with a limited command of the English language. Through hard work and dedication to her training and studies, she now speaks English fluently.

Shelly worked extremely hard to develop her language skills, not only attending our e2e course, but also studying an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) evening class of her own accord. She completed the e2e programme after a year, and progressed to an Apprenticeship in Children's Care, Learning and Development. Throughout her training, Shelly has attended a placement four days a week, at Fledglings Day Nursery, giving her practical experience along with the opportunity to improve her language and communication skills.

Shelly has already completed her key skills and a technical certificate towards her Apprenticeship and was delighted to pass her recent communications test, a real achievement for someone who speaks English as a second language. Shelly is due to finish her Apprenticeship in April 2007.

The written work that Shelly had completed for her Apprenticeship was submitted to the City & Guilds and she was highly commended in recognition of the high quality of the work, particularly in light of the fact that she is not a native English speaker 

Shelly, who has been closely supported by her Training Adviser Anna Siddall throughout her course, commented: "the training has been fantastic and I have made a lot of progress. I received one-to-one support from YMCA Training to help me improve my work."

top