Care Support Worker and casual Team Leader Vanessa Knight says the opportunities that lie ahead of her in a career in health and social care are endless.
Vanessa is currently focusing on her Level 3 Health and Social Work, while also working in one of NorseCare’s busy dementia units.
She has worked as a Care Support Worker with Norse since 2016 and says that during that time she has developed in her role and seen her skills improve.
Here she explains how she hopes her job and the apprenticeship will enable her to continue working within the field she enjoys so much:
Why did you choose to complete an apprenticeship?
I am a dynamic person with a passion for people. Apprenticeships help people like me to develop the necessary skills and gain experience to succeed in their chosen career, giving them a chance to learn, earn and achieve.
What have been the biggest benefits of your apprenticeship?
I have benefited from the ongoing and personalised qualifications, as well as developing skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to my work position.
How have you been able to put the skills you have learned into practice?
Through the apprenticeship I have learned how to communicate better with others and have also polished the problem solving skills I already had. I believe I am now better equipped to work as part of a team, to be resilient and to think strategically when a challenge arises.
What have the highlights of the apprenticeship been for you?
For me, definitely the learning. I am fascinated with the health and social care environment and have enjoyed finding out more about what it involves.
What challenges have there been, and have you been well supported throughout?
Meeting deadlines with work and keeping my modules up to date has been a struggle, especially as I work night shifts. But I have been well supported by my manager and colleagues throughout my course, which has been of great help.
What advice would you give to someone else considering an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships give you the best opportunity to learn while working. You gain workplace skills in addition to getting your degree certificate.
Being on this apprenticeship has opened my mind to the many different areas of the service I could work in. It has made me realise exactly what I could go on to achieve. For example, I could go into occupational therapy or mental health nursing – the opportunities are endless…
Sum up your apprenticeship experience in three words:
Practical, rewarding, dynamic.
