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2008 Celebration of Success - another success for a BC Consultants Trainee!.
Rachel Gleeson, Haircraft, Selkirk
The purpose of the Get Ready for Work Celebration of Success event is twofold.
Firstly, it is to recognise the achievements of clients who, at times against considerable odds, take their future into their own hands and benefit from the opportunities available to enhance their knowledge, quality of life and job prospects. Secondly, it is to tell the stories of these learners so that others, who may identify with their circumstances or some of the difficulties they have overcome can, in turn, be inspired to raise their aspirations and achievements.
Nominations are made by the training supplier who has been working with the client, and may also include input from the clients Careers Advisor and/or employer/placement.
Here is Rachel’s story – by Joyce Macvicar, Training Consultant, Get Ready for Work Programme.
It was at the Careers Fair that Rachel first became aware of the Get Ready for Work Programme. She was a very unhappy girl who had recently found out that she had not been accepted for the Hairdressing Course at College. As soon as she realised that there may be another route she could take her face lit up. Rachel was told that there were no promises but I would do what I could for her.
On leaving school Rachel began her GRfW Training at Haircraft in Selkirk on the 12 September 2007, she worked through from a Tuesday to Saturday understanding fully that in order to work in a Salon a Saturday was going to be one of the busiest days and that her week-ends would certainly be disrupted. Attendance and timekeeping at school had always been an issue so Rachel was informed that these two problems would not be tolerated when in a work situation.
Rachel had really not thought about the issues she had and had not completely realised how much she was going to have to learn. Not only did she have to learn all about the Hairdressing side of things she also had to learn how to deal with working along side someone else and more importantly learn about being polite to everyone who walked through the door or phoned the salon for whatever reason.
Rachel managed to stay her first month and yes we had our ups and downs but in 8 months Rachel had completely turned herself around. Confidence was improving, clients were occasionally giving her tips and compliments, her supervisor told her she had the ability to become a very good Hairdresser.
The owner of the salon said that she wanted Rachel to stay on as an apprentice hairdresser with pay and be put through a qualification at the same time. This was arranged through Telford College and Rachel is now working on her Level 2 Hairdressing qualification, working full time in the Salon with clients who simply adore her.
I personally have nothing but pride for Rachel, once she started to believe what her Careers Adviser, Supervisor, Salon Owner, Customers and I were saying to her, Rachel started to believe in herself (this had been a very rocky road at times), she learned to trust people and actually listened to what they were saying to her, receiving praise was something Rachel had never really had before and she found it hard to accept, she was always expecting negative comments. Suddenly Rachel felt valued she was doing something for people who actually appreciated her, she was doing something right for a change, she was doing a good job.
Rachel’s transformation will be an inspiration to anyone who knows her and in many different ways and for lots of different reasons.
If you are interested in Get Ready for Work – young person or placement provider please get in touch with me.
Joyce Macvicar at jmacvicar@borderscollege.ac.uk or 01896 662673 or 07721 943 387