Name: Arron Shelton

Age: 18

Qualification: Apprenticeship Level 2

Workplace: Hawthorne Court

I left school in 2003 and went to College for one year to do public services because I was thinking abut joining the Police Force. I was working as a care assistant to help with my college qualification and to earn some cash. I nursed my granddad until he passed away and that’s when I made the decision to have a career in Care.

I contacted Hampshire County Council and they arranged an interview for me at Hawthorne Court, I got the job!

My new employer asked if I would like to do an Apprenticeship or an NVQ in Health & Social Care, I chose to do the Apprenticeship because there’s more options and qualifications to achieve. I regularly attend Fareport for off the job training, which is part of my NVQ qualification. This gives me a chance to meet and work with other people doing the same qualification as me. We have a great time and bounce ideas off of each other. My Assessor is great, we have a good laugh together, she offers me a lot of support and visits me regularly at work to observe me carrying out Care duties and she also helps me with my portfolio and gives me positive feedback.

I have learnt a lot and attend different courses to help with the Apprenticeship training. I have also been given extra responsibilities to help the staff and residents, I am sure this is because of the qualification I am doing.

I sometimes I find it hard to cope with work, play and my qualification, as I’m 18 years old and I like to go to the pub with my mates and play golf, but my tutor is very supportive and flexible with my course work, which enables me to manage my workload.

I feel I am progressing well; I get great satisfaction with my work and Apprenticeship training; I really enjoy spending time with the residents. It’s nice at the end of the day to leave work with a smile on your face even if it’s been an awful day.