Adele’s Journey: Overcoming the Struggles of Functional Skills

Discover what Adele has to say about overcoming her struggles with functional skills whilst doing her apprenticeship NVQ in Adult Care with Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training, whilst working for Polesworth Group Care Homes. 

“Hello, my name is Adele Twigger. I started doing an NVQ three at the age of 57. I'm now 58. I've done functional skills in maths and English, and at times I have, let's say, been at the break of giving up. I've really struggled. I've had loads of support from Dylan and Michelle and I've persevered and I feel a great achievement that not being in a classroom for over 40 years, that I've done it. I've passed my English, I've passed my maths. But the point is, if you do not put in the work and accept all the extra classes that you are allowed to go to, then you are letting yourself down because only you can do it.”

 

How have you found functional skills?

“I have really found maths very difficult. It's not in the way that I were taught when I was at school, it's more functional skills. I didn't have a good understanding of why we had to do functional skills when we're doing care. How can knowing the size of a pitch, of a football pitch help me to do my job? But I persevered. I used BKSB, I came and done extra classes with Dylan, had lots of support. Failed the first time but I passed the second time.”

What advice would you give to other apprentices that are doing functional skills?

"Bear with it. You will only get to pass your functional skills if you do the work. When you take on an apprenticeship, regardless of doing functional skills and all your ordinary work that you have to do, you have to put in the work and only you can put in the work. Dylan, as an instructor, will give you instructions on how to do the maths, but if you do not continue to do that at home by doing your BKSB or doing extra workshop paperwork that he gives you, then that is not his fault, that is yours. You have got to put as much into that as you do everything else."

How have you found the support whilst being at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce training?

"At Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training, myself and Stacey, really struggled with the maths, so at least I had somebody along the journey with me that I felt was at the same level. It is hard doing maths, but what I will say is adults that have left school two or three years are saying, oh, well, I haven't done stuff in the classroom for so many years. Well, unfortunately, I've not done stuff in the classroom for over 40 years. So, if I can do it at my age, anybody can do it. But you must put the work in.”

If you are interested in doing an apprenticeship with Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training, then email enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk.