#SkillsGroupSuccessStory - The Winners

We love celebrating our learner successes and wanted them to share what they are proud of, so we ran a competition where learners could tag themselves using the hashtag #skillsgroupsuccessstory.

We loved our Child Care learner, Teigan Day’s genius montage of what she and her classmates have learnt so far. So much so, we decided that she was very deserving of the top prize of £200 Amazon voucher…Congrats Teigan, tell us what you’re gonna treat yourself to.

“I am over the moon to have won 1st place, I still can’t quite believe it! In my spare time, I am really into photography so I am going to buy a new camera with the money. I can’t wait to experiment and learn more techniques and editing skills in the future!”

The second entrant that caught our eye and to be honest, we’d love her to do our hair next, was Kennedy Woodhall who is a hairdressing Level 2 Apprentice at Amanda Marsden’s salon in Exeter. We love the balayage she created on her mum, and reckon she will have a few new clients after this! Congratulations Kennedy a £100 Amazon voucher is winging its way to you.

“I’m delighted! I never win anything and to have won £100 is amazing! I am going to buy my own hair clippers for my kit with the money, it’s so nice to have my own equipment, I feel like I am really developing into a professional hairdresser. Thank you!”

Health & Social Care learner Shae Van-Baaren shared what they had been working on in class around Dementia Awareness, it’s great to see such teamwork. We hope you enjoy spending your well-earned £50 Amazon voucher Shae.

“I am chuffed to have won £50– I am going to treat my mum to a fancy Christmas present and maybe a little something for myself too!”

I just wanted to say the biggest thank you to Vanessa, my trainer. You have made my journey so much easier, I don’t know what I would have done without you. You have been amazing and helped me to achieve my qualification. You’ve guided me through every step of the way, I really appreciate it, Vanessa, you have been my rock.

Katie Shorland, Level 2 Hairdressing

I always struggled in school as I wasn’t very academic, so knew learning on the job would be a better option for me. I would find it difficult to get up for 9am but now I wake up and look forward to my day. I wanted to try a hair apprenticeship as I’ve always been interested in hairdressing, and by the end of the first week, I already loved it!

Jaimee Benson, Level 2 Hairdressing

I have developed a range of new skills through work including the technical, industry skills required for the job, to personal development such as ensuring I am always on time. The biggest change since leaving school is adjusting to the independence you gain from earning a salary. My advice to anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship would be find what you like doing, and go for it!

Will Birch, Level 2 Bricklaying

Since starting the apprenticeship, I’ve become far more confident. In a classroom, you only interact with your classmates, but through working you develop your people skills as you interact with customers on a daily basis. At school, you are closely monitored and parented, however I am now more independent and feel grown up

Sam Collard, Level 2 Light Vehicle and Maintenance Repair

The most important thing I’ve learnt since leaving school is that there are other routes to success than just academia. I failed my GCSEs, as I never suited the school environment. Now though, I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship as I’ve discovered I learn more through hands-on practice.

Ben Freeman, Level 2 Carpentry

I would just like to thank you and your team for all the amazing work they do, you have provided me with the most invaluable experience which has helped to pave the way of my future. The work you do for young people is incredible!

Luke Kowalski, Teaching Assistant and former apprentice at Sir Robert Gefferys School