Share
When Natalie's role within the Fire Service required her to achieve her Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English to progress to Level 3 Business Administration, she came to Realise for help. With a positive outlook, Natalie was determined to succeed despite the challenges she faced along the way.
Background
Natalie has had an impressive and varied career path since her school days. Though she initially aspired to become a nurse, her career trajectory changed after a work experience placement with Sainsbury's during her final year of school. This experience sparked her interest in retail, leading her to complete a two-year National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and later a Level 3 Advanced course in Retail during the late 1990s.
With this knowledge, Natalie transitioned into the private sector, taking on administrative roles. She gained experience working with Social Services, KCOM (a communications service provider), and various agencies before finding her long-term calling with the Fire Service. Over her 15-year tenure with the Fire Service, Natalie continuously evolved, embracing new roles and attending training courses to expand her skills.
A nervous but excited start
On her first day on the Level 2 Functional Skills Maths and English course, Natalie felt a mix of eagerness and apprehension. "I felt eager to learn and see what I had missed over the years. These were things I had not been taught at school, so I felt apprehensive too!"
Despite these initial feelings, her connection with her tutor, Martin, quickly reassured her. "I had a great tutor; we connected, and he gave me a lot of food for thought." His patient and engaging teaching style, paired with a good sense of humour, created an enjoyable learning environment that kept her motivated.
Natalie's learning experience wasn't without challenges. The day before her English exam, she broke her ankle in a freak accident, forcing her to delay her assessment. However, her determination saw her return to the course. "Four months on, I returned to learning and passed my exams soon after that."
Enjoying the creative process
Reflecting on her training, Natalie particularly enjoyed the creative aspects of the exams. "I think for me, it was the creative side to the exams and being able to put art to words, including assonances, hyperbole, the rule of three, etc. Using life experiences, I could integrate this with the question of the day of the exams."
This process not only enhanced her understanding of English but also gave her a fresh perspective on the subject. "I enjoyed the training, and it has given me a different perspective on English for sure," she added.
Achieving her goals
For Natalie, earning these qualifications was significant. "To say that I have got my qualifications means a lot. I can present this to any job that I go for in the future. It is also a relief that I have achieved my Maths and English."
Natalie's experience reflects her resilient attitude. "Being in my 50s, I never thought I would have to do these exams, but with my positive approach, I got through it with Martin's help."
Recommending Realise
Natalie wholeheartedly recommends Realise to others. "I would recommend Realise to family and friends," she shared.
If Natalie's story has inspired you, why not see what you can do with Functional Skills Maths or English?