We’re concluding our NI Apprenticeship Week features of apprenticeships with Lala Mebe who is taking the Work Based Apprenticeship route in health and social care.
Moving to a new country and changing career might seem like a major upheaval, but for Lala Mebe, the challenge is something she has embraced as part of everyday life as she embarks in a new career in health and social care.
Relocating to Newcastle, County Down, Lala, who previously worked as a financial accountant responsible for payroll in South Africa, secured a Care Worker position with CWC Croob Cottages Care Home. She said, “I had no previous experience of the health or care sector before moving to Northern Ireland. But I enjoyed the work and everyday there was something new to learn on the job.
“My new colleagues advised me that South Eastern Regional College (SERC) offered a Level 2 Worked Based Apprenticeship in Health & Social Care and that it would help me in my role as well as giving me recognition for all the learning and skills I was acquiring. I did a little research and when I spoke to the Care Home Manager, she was very supportive for me to enrol on the course.
“I found the course very helpful as it consolidated all the learning on the job. The sessions were one-to-one, or in a small group with my colleagues, which was ideal for me, since everything was new and made it easier to ask questions or have something clarified if I was unsure before moving on to the next topic."
Lala continued, “The course has given me the skills and knowledge to carry out my role with much more confidence. Having the qualification means I know how to properly engage with service users and when to seek help and support from my colleagues and managers. You learn quite a lot about the legislation around care homes, which has been enlightening.
“The company was very supportive, and when I was scheduled to attend a class, if I was working, they organised for someone to cover my role, so I could meet with Olive, my work-based assessor from SERC. Having the tuition on site during the day means disruption was kept to a minimum, both for the organisation since it was in the workplace and for me, since it was during the working day. The work can be challenging and there are plenty of assignments to get through, so I do appreciate that I didn’t have to go to a night class after putting in a full day’s work.
“You do have to keep on top of the assignments, and I am the kind of person who loves a plan, so I know exactly what I have to do. Olive worked with me to plan out what had to be achieved, and we agreed realistic deadlines. Obviously, sometimes things did have to change, but with the work-based apprenticeship there is a degree of flexibility. Over the year you can look back to see what you have completed and what you still must do, this helped me realise my progress and grow more confident.”
She added, “All the hard work paid off when I achieved my Level 2 work based apprenticeship in Health and Social Care which has been recognised in work with a promotion to Senior Care Assistant.” An advocate of life-long learning, Lala said, “I want to progress to Level 3, then a higher level apprenticeship, and possibly top up with a degree qualification. In this role, the learning never stops, so I think it makes sense to have recognition with a qualification too.”
Asked if she would recommend the work-based apprenticeship, Lala said, “Absolutely! I have already encouraged other staff members to enrol for the course based on my experience.”
Find out more about apprenticeships at SERC.
