Learner with the blues, now has skills she can use
After suffering from years of depression, Ros Batchelor decided that improving her skills was key to helping get her life back on track.
Ros left school with no formal qualifications and due to ill health has been unemployed for a number of years. Not being able to work severely knocked Ros' confidence, and she felt she lacked the literacy and numeracy skills she needed to get a job. After speaking to the Older Workers' Employment Network, Ros contacted her local learndirect in East Riding and enrolled on a numeracy course, which she passed with flying colours. Spurred on by her success, Ros decided to tackle her IT skills gaps, taking a course to update her computer skills.
Through learndirect Ros has developed both the necessary skills and much needed confidence to apply for jobs for the first time in 10 years. Ros feels that going to the centre three times a week has given her life structure, and she views her studies as if she is going to work again. Ros also credits the learndirect staff who have been very supportive and understanding of Ros' situation, offering help and guidance to Ros when she experiences difficulties.
Ros feels that the best part of her learning experience is that she now has a better chance of getting a good job that will improve her life and boost her confidence.
Ros said:
"My friends are so proud of how far I have come. I feel I have begun a new and more positive chapter in my life and it's all thanks to learndirect. I am already looking at other courses to enrol on after I have finished this one so I can further my knowledge. I can't wait to start working so that I can use all my new skills."