Childcare worker becomes training advisor after apprenticeship success

A childcare worker from the Northwest has joined Black Country training company BCTG as a training advisor after passing his mid-career apprenticeship with flying colours.

Neil Ormerod, aged 54, had been working at After Care (NW) Ltd in Southport, which has eight residential childcare homes in and around the region and focuses on providing quality care with therapeutic input to children and young people.

While there, he enrolled on a Level 3 residential childcare apprenticeship and now, after passing all modules, he has joined BCTG as a training advisor to help other apprentices.

Mr Ormerod said: “I started the apprenticeship alongside my residential childcare role and completed this with a lot of effort.

“This paid off with recognition from the awarding body in passing my apprenticeship, which also included maths, English and ICT to Level 2 in functional skills.

“This qualification then enabled me to look at further options to develop myself, even though I am now at 54 years of age!

“I 've always enjoyed the training environment having worked in this field for seven years before residential childcare, and I have a passion for helping others to succeed.

“I 've now been given a wonderful opportunity to develop myself further and ultimately help the residential childcare family to develop and move forward in their lives too.

“I 'm very grateful to BCTG for the opportunity. I will need to complete further training to get a teaching qualification, but every step is a progression - and if I can do it, you can too! ”

Jayne Willis, head of quality and curriculum at BCTG, explained that Mr Ormerod had impressed them at interview with his experience, knowledge of the residential childcare sector and enthusiasm to help others.

She said: “I know Neil talks about being 54 and that this is a mid-career change, but age is something that doesn 't matter here at BCTG.

“We keen on people with the right skills, the best attitude and the sort of determination to get apprenticeship qualifications that Neil has shown.

“We 're now delighted to welcome him on to the team, and feel sure that he will do a great job for us. ”