Teen spirit behind Joanne’s success
TeN years ago, not long after her first son was born, young mum Joanne Abraham started an apprenticeship in business administration aged 17.
Now, the 28-year- old from St Helens, merseyside, is a director with the UK’s leading chamber of commerce.
Starting with a Level 2 apprenticeship, she soon progressed to Level 3 and qualified as an assessor and teacher. At 22, Joanne became a training adviser with St Helens Chamber, providing support for businesses, and was team leader two years later.
With ambitions to become a senior manager, Joanne began a Level 5 apprenticeship in management in 2016.
Now a director of training services, Joanne is responsible for a team of 40 as well as more than 700 apprentices.
Her eldest son, Thomas, is aged 11, and now has a younger brother, Steven, eight.
The mother of two is passionate about their learning and says she makes sure that opportunities are available to all, regardless of the challenges they face.
‘Learning has changed my life,’ adds Joanne. ‘I love my job, and my apprenticeships have given me the skills and knowledge to have a positive impact in the community and to make a difference.’ Her next goal is to achieve a Level 7 (degree level) apprenticeship.
Joanne’s commitment to lifelong learning has been recognised this week at the Festival of Learning National Awards Ceremony in London, where she was highly commended.
The annual, national campaign is led by the Learning and Work Institute and is supported by the Department for education. It celebrates the outstanding achievements of individuals, employers and learning provision.
Joanne’s nominator, the chief executive of St Helens Chamber Kath Boullen, says: ‘Joanne is a remarkable young woman who has grasped every opportunity to learn and develop her career.
‘She has progressed rapidly within our business, and now has sole responsibility for a budget in excess of £2 million.’
The Festival of Learning’s Have A Go month runs throughout June and aims to encourage more adults and families to participate in learning.
Hundreds of free taster events, open days, online courses and talks are hosted by learning providers across the country.