Fiona, 22, has overcome many personal barriers to reach her current position, helped by her Apprenticeship.
A difficult upbringing left her with anxiety attacks, low self esteem and separated from her younger sister. Finding herself living in a hostel surrounded by people with a negative outlook on life, Fiona became even more determined to achieve something positive.
Through her LifeSkills E2E programme, Fiona joined the Central Training Academy for a week’s work placement. Central was so impressed by Fiona’s work that they soon offered her a full time role as a receptionist/administrator. She was quickly promoted to recruitment administrator and she completed her Apprenticeship in Business Administration while in this role.
Fiona says: ‘I am so grateful to the academy for believing in me and offering me the role. I have learnt so much more than I could have imagined, and the best thing is that I am with my younger sister again as I can now afford to look after the both of us.’
One of Fiona’s role is a mentor, which she relishes: ‘When I first started as a receptionist I lacked self confidence, but now I mentor students who are in the same position I was five years ago. This is a real benefit when building relations with new learners as I can relate to them, so the stage of my life that I once tried to block out, actually turned out to be the route to my professional success!’
The academy was so impressed by Fiona’s determination and skills that her role continued to evolve, and she received a further promotion to recruitment officer.
The students also benefit from Fiona’s experiences: ‘Being young, living locally and having completed an Apprenticeship meant students could relate to me, and come to me with their professional and personal problems.’
The academy recognised the need for a company mentor to support the learners while they were on the programme, and created a new role of recruitment and mentor officer, with Fiona in mind.
Maureen Whittam, Fiona’s line manager from Central Training Academy, is amazed by Fiona’s progress and says she is a true example of the good that can come from hard work and determination.
’Fiona has overcome many personal barriers in her young life, but has tried and succeeded to work through these obstacles. She is an ambassador to all apprentices and an exemplary employee.’
Fiona Fay is a finalist in the Personal Achiever of the Year category at the national Apprenticeship Awards 2007.