Reaching early years career aspirations through apprenticeship opportunities

Summary

• Service Area: HOT Learning – Apprenticeships
• Course: Early Years Educator
• Qualification: Completed level 2 now doing level 3

As a specialist work-based training provider in the Early Years sector, our Learning and Apprenticeships team works with learners and employers to provide high quality apprenticeships that benefit both parties. The delivery of our courses was particularly challenging throughout the pandemic, where we balanced safe practices with the necessary placement of learners in real-work settings.

Despite this, we’re proud to see the progress of our learners who have succeeded in reaching their career aspirations albeit through such difficult times. 

Taking the right Steps

Sumera has always aspired to work with children in an early years setting. Her dedication to achieving this has seen her build skills from volunteering, to embarking on her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.

Sumera first started her career journey through volunteering at our Little Gems Nursery. Once she had built up her confidence and skills she applied for an apprenticeship role, based at our Jubilee Children’s Centre Nursery. She initially enrolled for a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship, delivered through the HOT Learning team, where she was able to develop her Level 1 functional skills.

As Sumera began her Functional skills training the country was going into lockdown, which meant that she couldn’t access the face-to-face support the apprenticeship team is usually able to offer. Undertaking her learning at home, with limited support, meant that Sumera had to work incredibly hard to complete the course independently.

Building confidence 

Through the successful completion of her functional skills, Sumera gained confidence in her abilities and was more committed than ever to become a fully qualified early years educator. Teams from the Jubilee Centre and HOT Learning supported Sumera with her progression to reach her Level 2 qualification, which she has now completed.

“Sumera has always been passionate about working with children and it has been lovely to see her skills and confidence grow especially now she has completed her Level 2 qualification.  Sumera has become more and more confident in speaking to parents and dealing with safeguarding issues appropriately and is a valued member of the team.”

 Andrea Briggs – Children’s Centre Manager

Sumera is very passionate about her early years career and is currently working towards her Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship qualification.

“I am so proud to be part of the Halifax opportunity trust team, I was so happy when I found out I got a job at jubilee children nursery. I was a volunteer for little gems nursery. Working as an apprentice has given me an opportunity to gain a recognized qualification.”

Sumera Bibi – Early Years Apprentice

A future in early years

Working with a team of skilled professionals has helped Sumera to gain the practical skills required to progress in her role, as well as build independence. She now has the practical and academic knowledge to trust her instincts and use her initiative to confidently overcome the many different challenges each day brings.

The Apprenticeship team adds:

Sumera has been a such a joy to work with, she has become a very positive and confident learner, she is engaging at all levels and we are super excited to see where this takes Sumera next. She has all the potential to develop further as an Early Years professional.

We would like to congratulate Sumera in her professional development and we are looking forward to continue working with her.

Want to learn more about our Early Years apprenticeships?

Head to our dedicated webpages, via the button below: