A pioneering training programme designed to create new teaching assistants for schools and colleges across Liverpool has already transformed the lives of more than 250 people.
The initiative delivered by Realise, one of the UK's leading training providers, forms part of the Liverpool City Region's Adult Skills programme. Learners have completed a mix of the Level 2 Support Work in Schools and Colleges qualification and the Level 1 Preparing to Work in Schools course.
Both are fully funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority's Adult Skills Fund,.
Amongst the topics covered in the courses are safeguarding, child development and transitions, health and safety, and legal requirements such as policies and procedures - all key areas that prepare learners for real classroom environments.
Training takes place at accessible community venues across the region, including St Mary's Millennium Centre in West Derby, Kirkby Centre 63, and the Joseph Lapin Centre in Old Swan.
The results speak for themselves. While most graduates have gone on to secure positions in primary schools and special educational needs (SEN) settings, others have progressed into secondary schools and colleges.
One of these success stories is Laura Hurst from Huyton, who completed several Realise courses before stepping into her new role. She began working in the reception class at Malvern Primary School on Willoughby Road in Broadgreen on a trial basis in February. Her passion, dedication and new skills soon paid off, and she has since been offered a permanent position that she started in September this year.
Laura, aged 37, said: "Doing the Realise courses and becoming a teaching assistant has changed my life.
"I had been a hairdresser for a long time, but fancied a career change a few years ago and moved into care and supporting adults and children with additional needs.
"That role was taking me around the country, but I had a change in my family circumstances, and, with having two children myself, I needed to be closer to home and fit work in around school term time.
"I didn't know what to do next, and then I saw Realise advertising for a teaching assistant course, and it went on from there.
"I've done five courses in total - Level one and two Teaching Assistant as well as others around children's mental health, special educational needs and autism.
"Realise were also brilliant at introducing me to their partner agencies, which recruit vacancies in schools across the region.
"To get a job so quickly after completing my first course was fantastic, and I love what I do.
"The children bring me so much joy day in, day out, and it's really rewarding.
"I'm so glad I took the courses. A lot of other options I looked at had the training delivered online, but Realise did all face-to-face training, and that made a huge difference, as that's the way I learn best.
"I definitely see my long-term future in education or care.
Tracy Galvin, Regional Sales Manager at Realise, said: "We've seen a huge success in the quest to get teaching assistants into locations across Liverpool.
"Schools and colleges across the city are experiencing a shortage in teaching assistants, and many are struggling to recruit for what are essential positions.
"Our training courses not only help to address that skills gap but also offer a fantastic opportunity for people in the region - many of whom are either unemployed, in low-paid jobs or wanting to change their career path - to take the first steps towards enjoying a sustainable, long-term career in education.
"For so many of our learners to progress to secure jobs is fantastic and is a real credit to both the individuals securing the jobs and our training teams.
Adult Skills courses are fully funded and free to access for Liverpool City Region residents aged 19 and over.
The training has been supported by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority's devolved funds for city region residents and is funded by UK Government.