Skills Delivered to Argos Distribution
When did you contact learndirect and why?
“I contacted learndirect in June 2007 because I was sick of being on income support and sick of being skint. I’d given up work in 1992 to look after my three children but I’ve always loved computers and, when I found out I might be able to do computer course for free, I contacted learndirect. I did the ITQ, English and Maths courses and now I’m working as an admin assistant for Job Centre Plus.
It’s made loads of difference to my family. I give my children pocket money now. They all have chores to do and then they get some money, because I can afford to do it. I went out and bought a TV the other day. I couldn’t have done that before. I couldn’t have afforded to go and buy a pair of shoes, but that’s changed. I’ve got a life now.”
How has learndirect helped you back to work?
“Doing the learndirect courses has given me the confidence to go back to work. Since I’ve finished the courses, I’ve been able to look at job descriptions and know that I can do everything on the list and I’m confident about using a computer.
I’ve done all sorts of jobs. I worked in my aunty and uncle’s nursing home, I was a taxi driver, I’ve worked in a shop, I had my own milk round business and my own ironing business but I’ve never found anything that I wanted to do until now.”
How did the learndirect courses compare to other courses you’ve done?
“I did City and Guilds at school, I did a YTS scheme when I worked at my aunty and uncle’s nursing home and I’ve also done RSA II. Then, in 2001 I decided I wanted to go to university, so I went to college and studied full-time. I came out with seven A-levels. When I’d passed, I decided I didn’t want to go to university after all.
The learndirect courses are much better because it doesn’t matter if something comes up with the kids and you end up being late. You do them in your own time. I always thought that I couldn’t listen and take things in but the learndirect courses have made me realize that I can. Because you can read and listen, things go in twice as quick. It’s a more practical way to learn than anything else I’ve experienced.”
How have the learndirect courses help you as a person?
“Doing the learndirect courses has helped me socially. You get back into that kind of environment after a long break and you think: ‘what do I say?’
The biggest thing has been confidence. I’m much more straightforward now. I don’t sit back anymore. I’ll tell people how things should be done.
And the learndirect courses have really helped at work, too. We use the same email system at work that I’d learned on the course, so that really helped me settle in.”
Since working at the Jobcentre, Sarah has gone onto become customer service manager at Haven Holidays. She feels she has now found the job she had been searching for.
“I’d love to but they’ll have to come up with some new ones because I think I’ve done them all!”