Author: Macie Thirlby

One such inspiring story is that of a student who faced academic challenges and personal struggles but ultimately turned their life around with perseverance and determination. Despite battling severe anxiety and feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of coursework, this student sought help through tutoring. With the right guidance and resources, their transformation was nothing short of remarkable. Over time, they not only overcame their fear of writing assignments but also excelled in their work , proving that with the right support, students can triumph over obstacles. This story serves as a powerful reminder that challenges, no matter how daunting, can be conquered with the right mindset and resources, leading to success.

Andy came to ATL as a result of a recommendation from the local job centre and entered onto an Employability Skills course. The course was a great success and as a result Andy’s confidence improved. So much so in fact that, when he spotted a vacancy as an administration assistant with ATL, he applied and was successfully appointed into the position. We are delighted to have Andy join our EMP team and he is already a valued member of the team making a significant contribution, particularly welcoming new applicants to the department.

Andy has a passion for self development and is also undertaking his Functional Skills Level 2 Maths qualification along side his job role. Andy said: ‘I am so grateful to Sally and Jill for seeing something in me and giving me the chance to work with them at ATL. Everybody has made me feel so welcome and I take great pleasure seeing a learners journey from when they first come in to sit their Initial Assessment to when they pass their exam and walk out more confident and with a smile.

I have been working with a learner who was very reluctant to complete the course and despondent at the amount of units needed and little time to do them. Her confidence was at a low as the course was needed for her employment and she was concerned she would look incompetent.

Following fortnightly meetings, this learner has flourished and confidence grown towards the course and within her work place. She is actively participating in team meetings with her new found information, knowledge and providing advisories to their policies and procedures. The learner has completed various assessment methods so she can gain her own preference of learning skills and preferred learning style compared to the initial assessment she took at the enrolment stage of the course. Discussions are the preferred method as she likes to research and complete notes but elaborate throughout the discussion and enjoys the holistic approach which leads to other learning outcomes and covering criteria.

Completion of each unit has been celebrated by the learner and shared with her colleagues; she is on her way for a completion on her due month. Visually seeing progression on OneFile has been a highlight of the journey. The learner has a new passion for learning and this has been reignited from her school days

Throughout the duration of my Level 3 Software Development Technician apprenticeship, Dan at Achievement Training Limited provided continuous support in the form of regular weekly catch ups to discuss my portfolio progress and my overall apprenticeship journey.

Dan was always able to answer any questions that I had relating to the assessment criteria and we agreed and set clear targets about the work that I needed to complete. It was very clear from the start of my interactions with Dan that Dan has a wealth of knowledge around apprenticeships and was always able to provide advice and guidance that was based on evidence and a clear rationale, which put me at ease.

Since completing my Level 3 Software Development Technician apprenticeship, I have been able to progress on to the Level 4 Software Developer apprenticeship, which is helping me towards achieving my overall goal of becoming a Software Developer within my organisation.

Maddie began her learning journey with Achievement Training by enrolling in the Level 2 Certificate in Practical Animal Care Skills. With a passion for working with animals, this course provided her with a strong foundation in animal care and helped her take her first steps into a field she loves. Her dedication and hard work led her to progress onto the Level 3 Work-Based Diploma in Animal Care Skills, where she developed advanced practical knowledge and applied her skills in real-world settings.

Building on this success, Maddie is now pursuing the Level 3 Technical Certificate and Diploma in Animal Management. This marks her fourth consecutive year of study with Achievement Training, during which she has demonstrated remarkable progress both academically and personally.

When Maddie first joined, she faced significant challenges due to anxiety and fear, which made it difficult for her to even enter the building alone. Her initial steps required substantial support, but her perseverance and determination, coupled with the supportive environment at Achievement Training, set the stage for her transformation.

Over the years, Maddie has grown in confidence and independence. She no longer needs assistance entering the building and now engages comfortably and confidently with her peers. Her ability to overcome personal obstacles has not only enriched her learning experience but also inspired those around her.

Maddie’s incredible progress is best exemplified by her role as a student ambassador during open events. Her willingness to share her journey and interact with prospective students reflects the depth of her growth. Maddie’s confidence, enthusiasm, and passion for her field make her a wonderful representative of what can be achieved with determination and support, and guidance.

My learner started with us in September 2023 on the Early Years Educator course, she originally wanted to complete the Early Years Practitoner however she was unable to access funding due to previously completing a GCSE in childcare. She suffers with mental health difficulties and found coming into a college a challenge. On her journey she began placement in a nursery ( school based) who were very supportive and gave her lots of opportunities to practise what she had been learning in theory. She attended session regularly some in person, some online. She completed her course on time, sometime needing guidance to make amendments, however always wanting to learn new skills. She uses onefile to look at her achievements and what she still needs to work on.

I used professional discussion to help her progress with the be able criteria I wouldn’t see in placement. This helped build her confidence in the different areas. I used observations to help build her confidence with planning and able to give her pointers for the next observation.

She has now secured a full-time job within a nursery.