After more than 20 years since leaving school, Donna is undertaking her Functional Skills in English and maths. Maths had always been a challenge for her, but she was determined to push herself and gain the qualifications she needed to progress in her pharmacy career.
With the support of Judi, her Functional Skills tutor, Donna discovered a new and better way of learning maths – one that finally made sense to her in a way school never did. “It was tough breaking old habits, and my confidence in maths wasn’t great, but Judi’s patience and support helped everything finally click for me.”
Carrying out her English and Maths Functional Skills has given Donna a huge boost in confidence, and she knows it will help her as she moves into her second year of the Pharmacy Technician course. She’s excited for the next stage of her learning journey and feels proud to have updated her qualifications.
Balancing three courses alongside her pharmacy and primary care network work has been no easy task, but she’s glad she persevered.
Donna credits Skills4Pharmacy for giving her the opportunity to update her grades while working and studying for her Pharmacy Technician qualification. “Judi was amazing – so patient and supportive. There were moments when I felt like giving up, but she encouraged me to keep going. The chance to do Functional Skills alongside my apprenticeship has been a fantastic opportunity.”
For anyone considering an apprenticeship, Donna’s advice is simple: “At first, it might feel a little daunting but go in with an open mind. Make sure to set aside time for revision – even outside of work! I’m lucky to have a study day each week, and that’s been a huge help. As a mature student, this has been a brilliant opportunity to stay in work while gaining a qualification to advance my career.”
Looking ahead, Donna hopes to qualify as a Pharmacy Technician, with a particular interest in medical conditions like respiratory health. Her journey proves that it’s never too late to learn, and with the right support, anything is possible!