Rachel Congreve, a career changer in her 40s, never envisioned herself as an apprentice. Yet, she now finds herself pursuing an apprenticeship as a Trainee Community Support Worker for Home First at Leicestershire County Council. This new role marks a significant transition from her previous career in teaching to working in adult care and supporting her local community, so we sat down with Rachel to hear her story.
She explains: “I wanted a meaningful way to transition from teaching to something where I could help adults and work in the community, so when I saw the role advertised, I went ahead and applied.”
What attracted her to the apprenticeship was the combination of practical experience with formal training and qualifications that would fully prepare her for the role. Rachel felt assured from the beginning that she would be well supported. “It was clear from the outset that I would be supported to gain relevant qualifications, and the focus is on giving me the training and knowledge I need alongside practical experience to fulfil my role competently.”
One of the key factors contributing to Rachel’s success in her apprenticeship is the structured support she receives. She values the study time and off-the-job training provided as part of her learning experience. “I have weekly study sessions and ‘off-the-job’ hours to focus on my study and training. We have taught sessions on Teams with some lovely tutors, and all the resources we need to succeed both at our assignments and in our roles is provided for us in an easily accessible online platform, as well as in-person training.”
In addition to the formal learning, Rachel has found immense value in having both a designated tutor and a mentor to guide her throughout the process.
“I have a designated tutor and a mentor to support me and provide a soundboard for advice and encouragement, both of whom are super approachable.”
Her manager also plays a pivotal role in ensuring she has the time and support needed to balance work and study effectively. “My manager is incredibly supportive and ensures I have the time I need to complete my training to the best of my abilities.”
One of the aspects that excites Rachel most about completing her apprenticeship at Leicestershire County Council is the wealth of career progression opportunities available. She feels optimistic about her future in the organisation, explaining: “For me, one of the advantages of completing the apprenticeship with the Leicestershire County Council is that there are lots of roles I can progress to in time.”
Leicestershire County Council’s commitment to lifelong learning and career development has left a strong impression on Rachel. “I find the county council as an organisation to have a positive attitude towards lifelong learning, personal development, and career progression. There is a genuine wish to see people thrive, succeed, and progress, whatever that means to them.”
Rachel’s apprenticeship journey at Leicestershire County Council has provided her with both the skills and confidence to pursue her new career as a Trainee Community Support Worker. Reflecting on her experience, Rachel shared, “I feel like I’ve landed on my feet and would recommend a Leicestershire County Council apprenticeship to anyone.”