Rebecca overcomes hurdles to achieve her learning goal
Rebecca Crook with Lauren Mills (left) of Torfaen Training and Jenine Gill, managing director of Little Inspirations Day Nursery.
Rebecca Crook has overcome a series of obstacles to achieve a Higher Apprenticeship and gain promotion at the nursery where she works.
She began the Higher Apprenticeship in Children’s Care, Learning and Development, Leadership and Management with a nursery and training provider that both closed. But Rebecca, 41, from St Athan, was determined to succeed.
She completed the qualification this summer with Torfaen Training after finding a new job with Little Inspirations Day Nursery, Barry. Her hard work paid off, as she was promoted to nursery manager.
Now she has been recognised as one of Wales’ star learners by being shortlisted for this year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru. She will be competing to become Higher Apprentice of the Year at the prestigious awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on October 20.
Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), the coveted awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC and supported by media partner, Media Wales.
Thirty star learners, employers and learning providers involved in the delivery of successful skills programmes across Wales have been shortlisted for the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.
The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
The awards are designed to showcase and celebrate the outstanding achievements of learners, employers, tutors and assessors who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Traineeships and Apprenticeship programmes.
Rebecca praised the support she has received from Little Inspirations Day Nursery and Torfaen Training, who named her the company’s Higher Apprentice of the Year in May.
She said: “The award has boosted my confidence greatly and has given me the appetite to continue on another learning programme. As a direct result of the apprenticeship, I am much more confident in my job role and believe that gaining more knowledge has made me more effective as a manager.
“When I lost my job, the idea of putting so much effort and hard work into the programmes and then having to give up didn’t sit well with me. It has been a great challenge and making it over all the hurdles to a positive outcome is immensely satisfying.”
Jenine Gill, owner of Little Inspirations Day Nursery, described Rebecca as an “exemplary model” for higher apprenticeships who is using the skills and knowledge she has gained to raise the standards within her organisation.
Praising the standard of applicants this year and congratulating Rebecca on being shortlisted for an award, Skills and Science Minister, Julie James said: “This year’s shortlisted entrants include exceptional individuals who have excelled in their workplace and learning providers and employers that have gone the extra mile to support the apprentices they are working with. Their stories never cease to amaze and inspire.
“Apprenticeships and vocational skills training are essential ingredients of economic success and vital tools in building a stronger, fairer and more equal Wales.
“These awards provide a perfect platform to celebrate success and reward the hard work and dedication of learners, employers and training providers across Wales. I wish everyone the very best of luck for the night.”
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