John – Achieving New Qualifications in Maths and English
John, aged 60 from Northumberland, initially joined Making a Difference for support with creating a new CV. Before being referred to the programme by the National Career Service, he had worked as a manager in contact centres for several years.
John was now interested in gaining qualifications in Maths and English, and in finding a Peer Support role, particularly in the social care sector to start this new chapter of his career journey.
How Did We Help?
During John’s first meeting with Employment Coach Jessica, he mentioned that he did not have qualifications in Maths and English. Gaining both qualifications would be a great way to boost John’s CV and skill set to support his job search in the future.
Jessica introduced John to Margaret who is a Skills Facilitator for Making a Difference. Margaret delivers sessions in Maths and English to help anyone looking to gain this as a qualification for employment.
John soon started attending Maths sessions with Margaret. It became clear he was making great progress with his learning and would soon be ready to take a Level 3 Maths Exam. To prepare, John sat a mock exam which yielded positive results. This meant he was ready to take the official assessment.
Gaining a Level 3 Maths and English Qualification
In November 2022, four months after joining Making a Difference, John gained his Entry Level 3 Maths qualification! Following this, John is determined to keep learning until he achieves qualifications for both Maths and English.
And while John’s personal circumstances have changed – he is no longer looking for paid employment – he continued to work with Jessica to gain more skills and grow his confidence.
Together, they explored John’s options for the future. Considering his background in management, John was a great candidate for Peer Support roles within a healthcare environment. He is now on the hunt for voluntary roles to build on his experience and help his community.
John is pleased with his progress and reflects fondly on the time spent with his coaches. He says:
“I want to Make a Difference and work with someone who can Make a Difference with me. Both Margaret and Jessica have supported me to do that. I am now looking at voluntary roles within the Care sector so I can give back to an industry where others have supported me.”
His Coach Jessica also expresses her delight with John’s progress:
“In the time I have supported John, I have found he always engages fully in conversation with myself and others. He also has excellent listening skills which are suitable for a Peer Support role where others often just need someone to listen and to talk to for reassurance. This is something John can offer.”
Career Guidance To Get You Where You Want To Be
Making a Difference is an initiative match-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). We help people of all ages find their way into work or training by providing tailored one-to-one guidance and support. Whether you are returning to work after a career break, considering working for the first time or simply want to try something new. We can help you figure out the next step for you.
Contact our friendly team to learn more and start your journey today!
