Stories of how our courses have benefited our learners.
Matthew Amos recently completed a Warehousing and Storage Level 2 Apprenticeship.
Background: I completed a previous qualification with Kerry and wanted to progress onto a new area.
Achievements: Customer Service Level 2, Warehousing and Storage Level 2 and Functional Skills level 2 Maths and English.
Support: I felt that Kerry gave me a lot of support during my qualifications as I felt at times I was struggling.
Comments: Thank you for all your hard work in passing my qualifications.
Klaudia Szklarska recently completed a Warehouse and Storage Level 2 Apprenticeship.
Background: During my employment at Woolcool, Clare was introduced to me as a training advisor via other colleagues who were training with Clare, my assessor. In Woolcool, I was working as a Warehouse Operative and Clare and I had a discussion about the qualifications Stepping Stones could offer me. This was a great opportunity to develop my confidence, skills and knowledge along with career prospects. It seemed like a great opportunity to progress and see growth in my own understanding of my role. Clare adapted her style and working methods to suit my needs as English is not my first language. Clare was patient and took the time to listen to me and understand my individual needs. Clare is always there when I need help with any of my assessments, we communicate through email, phone, face to face and she always takes the time out to help me.
Achievements: Warehouse and Storage is completed and now I have been promoted into the research and development department of Woolcool. I am now a Key Employee in the company, designing packaging, bespoke products and testing our standard lines to improve our products. I have a better understanding of English and Maths and feel more confident with my ability to communicate with others internally and externally. I have learnt to think about problem solving using different approaches and learning more in taking a different route.
Support: Clare gives me a push and makes me feel motivated when it comes to work and achieving my personal and professional goals. Sometimes in the meetings, Clare will listen to me and advise me on areas that I haven't considered. She always makes me feel that a problem is no problem at all. I look forward to seeing Clare at work.
Comments: Thank you for everything - I am loving doing my Business Admin course with you.
Nathan Colcombe recently completed a Team Leading Level 2 Apprenticeship.
Background: Previous educational history - Functional Skills English and Maths in College.
Previous employment - Warehouses - Continual development. I came as a cleaner and now I am a warehouse and stock officer I wanted to develop my own knowledge and understanding. I want to be able to step up to any role and have full confidence in what I am achieving. I want to develop my professional abilities in the role and be successful in progression routes.
Achievements: Warehouse and Storage Level 2 - Completed. Ongoing and almost completed Warehouse and Storage Level 3. I would like to progress onto another course with Clare my assessor when completed my Level 3.
Support: Clare listens to me and helps me in difficult times. She is patient and understanding, positive attitude in all areas, never pressures me and allows me to make all my decisions.
Comments: My confidence has developed significantly when communicating to people. My communication has come on leaps and bounds, due to my confidence increasing. I have great support from Clare throughout the qualifications that I have completed and any information I need, she has always been there to offer it to me. Clare will listen to me and brighten up my day when I come and talk to her. I would love to continue with Stepping Stones and continue to see the growth of my skills with the help from Clare :)
Employer | Alice Charity
"Alice Charity have recently been able to take on two new apprentices and have used Rebecca's services to do so.
Throughout the process, Rebecca remained professional and patient, knowing how chaotic the third sector can be. She allowed us time to make decisions and did not pressure us in any way. As a result we now have two fantastic apprentices who are brimming with potential. We are already wondering what we did before we had them and they have been with us less than a month.
Rebecca displayed an understanding of what is "right" for Alice, and that what might be right for many other companies, may not fit our model and values. She kept this in mind throughout and the service has been second to none.
I would not hesitate to recommend Stepping Stones and Rebecca to anyone looking to expand their workforce with the inclusion of apprentices on their team."
Employer | AdGiftsOnline Limited
"I would like to thank Becky and Stepping Stones Education and Training Ltd for helping my company train our recent apprentice. The assessor they provided, Gaynor, was very professional and thorough and helped Rachel sail through her Level 3 Business Administration NVQ.
I have great faith and no hesitation in recommending Becky for any of your training needs."
Background:
I used to struggle in most grown up situations especially when meeting new people. I found interacting quite hard and not something that came easily to me.
Achievements:
Since being involved with Stepping Stones, they have helped me pass my functional skills in English and Maths and got me on board with my Warehouse and Storage qualification. More importantly than that though, they helped me land an amazing job!
Support:
The support I received from Stepping Stones and in particular my assessor, Kerry, is fantastic.
Comments:
I would like to thank all the team at Stepping Stones for helping me and also a huge 'thank you' to Kerry for her involvement.
Becky Smith recently completed a Customer Service Level 3 Apprenticeship.
Background: I wanted to work towards being supervisor as my current job-support worker for people with learning disabilities and to learn and gain qualifications.
Achievements: Getting a job as a support worker. Updating my English and Maths Functional Skills. Learning more about the Customer Service Industry. Currently acting supervisor whilst my supervisor is away.
Support: Kerry Jones has supported me all through my course. She was very helpful, explained questions I didn't understand, advise on things to ask at interviews and working on my CV.
Jessica Cartwright recently completed a Customer Service Level 3 Apprenticeship.
Background: I achieved the standard GCSE's in school then found a job at Farmfoods. I started working towards the supervisor role and decided completing a qualification would help to reach this goal. I completed my Level 2 and 3 in Customer Service with Stepping Stones and thought the Level 3 in Management would be a good addition.
Achievements: I received the supervisor position at my store and it was quite clear all my apprenticeship learning helped me get that by expanding my knowledge. I did my Functional Skills as well which developed beyond what they originally were.
Support: My personal tutor, Kerry Jones, was the best person to help me in every way. She took into consideration my illness and issues then would find ways around it to help me progress. I firmly believe that without her assistance, I would of failed or dropped out.
Chantelle Tallent recently completed a Customer Service Level 3 Apprenticeship.
Background: Currently an employee at Woolcool, I really wanted to improve my education but thought I couldn't now that I am employed. I'm happy that Stepping Stones offered me a chance and now I can continuously work harder.
Achievements: Completed Functional Skills (Maths) which I have been attempting to pass several times and finally completed thanks to all the help and support from Clare and Kerry, who never doubted me, even when I doubted myself.
Support: I was unsure about starting the first course with Stepping Stones, Business Admin, as I was slightly put off from my previous college, not gaining enough support with my work and not having any motivation. I have got to say, I'm really I did it. I had a lot of questions at the start and was feeling very curious, but I received all the information I needed which made me feel positive to starting the course. Clare was my tutor for the Business Admin Level 2 and my Customer Service Level 3 with Clare being my tutor again and Kerry to achieve the course. In all the time I've been in education, I never actually had people who is happy to help, not because they have to as it's part of their job, but because they actually want to see you achieve something through completion. I think that makes a huge difference for myself as the learner and gives me the right attitude when I think I can't do something. This also helps me gain more confidence as a person, especially when you have someone who tells you that you can do something you thought you never could.
Comments: I would like to thank Stepping Stones for the knowledge given and the opportunity for me obtaining my qualification. I would also like to personally thank Clare and Kerry, who has helped me enormously to gain confidence and gave me a 'can do' attitude to anything that I thought I couldn't do. I've learnt a lot through my Business and Customer Service course and most importantly, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Stepping Stones deliver a welcoming, professional service, a wide range of outstanding courses and wonderful staff. I would not of been able to do it without the support from Clare and Kerry. Would definitely recommend.
We would love to hear how your apprenticeship experiences have benefited you: