A Caerphilly woman has won an award for her efforts in the classroom for returning to education after 30 years.
Maria Cross, 45, proved it’s never too late to learn after scooping the Outstanding Achievement Award at ACT Training’s annual Apprenticeship Awards.
Maria, who left school at 14, was one of several staff members from South Wales care service, The Partnership of Care, to take her Level 2 foundation apprenticeship in Health and Social Care with ACT, Wales’ largest training provider.
She excelled at the programme, finishing in just six months, despite the fact that learners are given 15 months to complete the qualification.
Tracey Lever, Maria’s Assessor at ACT, said: “Maria came to ACT as part of a work-based training group, wanting to improve her confidence and develop her core skills in health and social care. Her main barrier was a “can’t do” attitude, particularly when it came to English and Maths, which she struggled with having left school so long ago.
“During the programme, Maria’s confidence improved and she started to really stand out. I was blown away when she completed the qualification in just 6 months – for somebody who hasn’t been in a classroom for 30 years, that’s an incredible achievement!
“The Apprenticeship Awards were created to celebrate the achievements of learners across our apprenticeship routes. The outstanding achievement award recognises someone who particularly excelled during their apprenticeships or who may have overcame difficult barriers to complete their qualifications. Maria has done both. She thoroughly deserves this award.”
Maria said: “When I came to ACT, I had no confidence and was terrified about being in a classroom again after so long. I struggled in school, as I was shy and had hearing problems, and my teachers just stuck me at the back out of the way. I left at 14, so never had time to develop the core skills that I need now for my career. You can have all the care and compassion in the world, but you need skills to back it up, especially if you want to progress. I’m doing my Level 3 apprenticeship now, after I’ve finished that I’m going to train as a nurse.
“I was over the moon when I won the award. It was that final confidence boost I needed and made me feel like ACT had really noticed my achievements on the course. My assessor Tracey was one in a million and I couldn’t have done it without her. I’m so proud of myself and excited to get back in the classroom and progress even further.”
ACT is Wales’ largest apprenticeship provider. Set up over 24 years ago, it has centres across Wales and offers a range of training opportunities including traineeships, apprenticeships and essential skills. These schemes are available to support the continuous professional development of staff and those looking to make their first steps onto the career ladder.