DIANE: MAKING THE SWAP TO A CAREER IN CARING

Diane, who is in her 50s, was a housewife with no educational qualifications. She wanted to “give something back” and to work, but had applied for jobs without success. Embark Learning, which works with Wallsall Job Centre and West Midlands Combined Authority, offered her a place on a Sector-based Work Academy Programme, training for the care sector.

“Diane was nervous, she lacked confidence,” says business development manager Safwan. “But she completed practical training, did a DBS, got a uniform; she’s out there now working; it’s transformed her life. If anybody is at a loose end, with a can-do attitude, open mind, SWAP is an excellent opportunity to go into a sector of your choice, where you can develop a new skill, new choice, and put yourself in a really good position to get a job. If not a job at the end of it, to update your CV to make yourself more marketable.”