Looking to develop your skills for a new role like Sarah?
Sarah has taken two distance learning courses with Aspire Sussex since the start of the pandemic, helping prepare her for a new career path after being furloughed and then made redundant.
“I was furloughed by my employer at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and saw it as an opportunity to make time to develop my skills and learn something new. As a mother of two primary school age children, I have experienced first-hand the impact the pandemic has had on the mental health of my children and their peers. When I saw an advert for a distance learning course in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health with Aspire Sussex, it seemed the perfect opportunity to increase my awareness and understanding and put myself in a better position to support them.
I hadn’t formally studied in over 15 years, so the thought of ‘going back to school’ was initially quite a daunting prospect. However, I need not have worried. The induction meeting with my assessor was very reassuring and I quickly established a routine to complete the coursework around my other commitments at home. My assessor has guided and supported me through every step of the course; giving regular constructive feedback, encouraging me and helping me to improve and refine the content of my coursework. The whole experience has been enlightening and a huge boost to my confidence.
When I was made redundant eight months into being furloughed from my job, I used it as an opportunity to consider the future of my career and decided to embark on a second distance learning course with Aspire Sussex on Safeguarding and Prevent. I have since secured a new job at one of the leading sixth form colleges in the county, where the knowledge I have gained from both of my courses with Aspire Sussex will be invaluable.
I am so glad that I decided to study with Aspire Sussex as it has given me insight into a new profession and helped to guide me on a new career path. I would heartily recommend Aspire Sussex to anyone considering adult education as an ideal route to achieving your personal aspirations.”