Chelsea felt like she wasn’t enjoying her career anymore and was looking for a change.
Thanks to discovering our ‘Get Into Business Administration’ course, based at our Training Centres across East Kent, she’s now made the move to a career as an Operations Assistant, where she can focus on her newfound skills.
We sat down with her at our EKC Training Swale Centre, where she studied, to hear more about why she loved the course, how it’s made a big difference in her life, and her advice to other people looking to change careers.
Why did you choose the ‘Get Into Business Administration’ course?
I wasn’t happy in my previous job. I was talking to my work coach about it and she said that the course with EKC Training was available and that it was coming up soon, so would I like to do that? I thought about it and I thought yeah I would. Business Admin was something I wanted to get into anyway so I thought the course might help. It would look good on my CV as well doing this extra qualification. I didn’t know what I was going to expect from it otherwise but I’m glad that I did the course.
How did it feel joining the course on the very first day?
Initially it felt quite nerve-wracking and I was quite nervous coming back to education. One of my friends did the course with me which put me at ease, but once you get to know everyone you do settle in quite quickly, especially if you’ve got a good bunch of people around you like I did.
Can you pick out one of your favourite things about the course?
One of my favourite parts was probably the lecturer, Richard. He was really brilliant. He was just so nice and so patient with us, and explained everything very well. He was a very good teacher. I also met some really lovely people there and we all got on so well. I really loved that course, everything about it. It was so much fun.
What skills did the course help you develop?
When I started the course I was quite rusty with my computer skills. I did a course in computing around 10 years ago but with the job I had at the time, I didn’t use computers, so I lost those skills. To get back into that, especially after all those years, where computers have changed a lot, has been great.
I also learned a lot about general admin skills. The course did go quite deep into a range of topics. For example, we learned about GDPR and cybersecurity. We also worked together as a team a lot with problem-solving.
I think before doing that course, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to apply for my job today. It gave me a lot of confidence in lots of areas.
After her course, Chelsea was confident enough to apply for a series of Business Administration jobs. One of these was an Operations Assistant role with the EKC Training team.
After a successful interview, she was offered the job and now helps other ‘Get Into’ learners take their first steps.
How did the opportunity to work for EKC Training come about?
When I was on my course, I said to Richard, the lecturer: “I really want to work here so can I get a job with you?”. I think he thought I was joking, but he did keep me in mind. When a job did come up after I’d finished the course, he got back in contact and told me about it. I went for it, and lucky enough, I got an interview and here I am.
What are some tasks you do on a typical day in your role?
A big part of my job is greeting the new learners before bringing them to the classrooms. I also help out with enrolments, such as inputting data, in addition to printing and documenting certificates. When I applied for this job, I didn’t realise how much I would use Microsoft Excel. There’s a lot of spreadsheet work, but thanks to my course, I picked it up quite quickly. I hope my work here proves that I’ve really taken on what I’ve learned.
How does it feel to get into a new industry?
It’s a lot better. With my original job, I wasn’t in love with it anymore. I knew I wanted to branch out and do something else. I found that Administration is quite hard to get into when you’re older, but the course has really opened up opportunities and made it so much easier. To change careers and actually get into something that I really wanted to do – I’m over the moon.
What’s been the most rewarding moment since you started the course?
For me, it was just getting my job now, to be honest. When I got that phone call and was offered the job I was so excited. I was so shocked, but happy and excited. I honestly didn’t think I’d get it, but when I did, I was so happy. It’s difficult to put that happiness into words when you finally get that opportunity.
How did the course set you up for interviews for admin jobs?
I’ve done a lot of interviews before and not got those jobs, but this course taught us interview skills which really helped and stick with you. We did a lot of practice talking to each other with interview questions. Richard also really helped us. He talked us through interviews and helped us prepare for what may be asked of us.
I had a different interview for somewhere else before this job, and he helped me prepare for that. He talked me through what to say and told me what I should be looking out for when I practice for the interview. So I get knowledge for it.
How does it feel working with the new learners on the ‘Get Into’ courses?
It’s nice to be able to see the new learners and think “I was there, I did that.” I know how they feel and I know what they’re going through. I’ve told a few of my experience because some people want to make the same moves in their career. It’s been great to share with them that thanks to the course I’m working in a job that I really wanted to do.
What advice might you give to somebody who wants to start a ‘Get Into’ course?
I think you can do anything that you put your mind to. I really do believe that. If you really want it bad enough, you’ll get it. Just do it and worry about it later. Don’t let anything like your age hold you back because it doesn’t matter.
I think if you’re not working, you’ve already got the time to do it. It’s good to get into that little routine of doing something as well. It really does help build your confidence. Everyone here is so lovely and friendly.
For those who are working and want to change their career, I don’t think you should be stuck in a dead-end job. If you’re not happy doing something, change. You’ve really got to push yourself to do it, because it is a nerve-wracking thing to do. It is hard, but I’m so glad I did. I can’t explain enough how happy I am that I changed my career.
I think until you’re actually here, you don’t really realise how helpful a course like this would be. I would recommend it to anyone because it really did help me. I’m proof that it does work.
Thanks to her course and her current role, Chelsea is thriving with her skills and newfound confidence. Thank you to Chelsea for sharing her story.
If you want to change jobs, or are looking for a way to gain essential qualifications and knowledge that leads to a new career path, we have a ‘Get Into’ course for you.
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