Megan Cameron battled against the school bullies and difficult personal circumstances to make sure she got the training and skills she needed for her dream job in childcare. Her hard work and determination meant she was awarded as Apprentice of the Year at Chesterfield College’s annual Celebration of Achievement.
Megan’s passion for working in childcare started after she spent two weeks in Killamarsh Day Nursery doing work experience when she was at school. Although she’d studied childcare at school she suffered with a lack of confidence after being bullied. She left school without some of the key qualifications and skills employers would be looking for which made her choices after school limited.
Managers at Killamarsh Day Nursery had seen how Megan had interacted with the children during her work experience and they thought she had the qualities it takes to make a good nursery care worker but they knew she needed to develop her skills. Working with Learning Unlimited, part of the Chesterfield College group, the nursery offered Megan a traineeship. This gave Megan the chance to develop some of the skills she needed to be work-ready and prepared her for the next level of study to become a qualified nursery assistant.
Megan said: “The traineeship really helped me to get up to speed with my Maths and English which prepared me for my apprenticeship. The fact that the staff at the nursery supported me and believed I could do it made a big difference and it boosted my confidence. I loved working with the babies and the children but when it came to talking to parents I struggled at first. It’s not an issue for me anymore because I have more confidence. I wouldn’t have got my level 2 qualification without the start the traineeship gave me and now I am about to start a level 3 qualification which feels brilliant!”
Kay Roberts, Business Manager at Killamarsh Day Nursery said:
“Megan has been an inspiration to us all. When we offered her the traineeship we knew she had the right qualities to care for the children we look after but what we didn’t know is how her determination in the face of adversity would have such an impact on us all. She is an inspiration. She has embraced every opportunity we have given her and the difference in her ability is astounding. It has been a pleasure to give her this start to her career.”