Support for UkraineKaren, 54: A Journey of Success - From Level 2 Maths to Apprenticeship
Karen Meek is one of many people finding that improving your maths through MULTIPLY can open new doors in your career.
“The day I learned I’d passed my Level 2 Functional skills in maths made all the effort worthwhile. Now I’m getting ready to start my apprenticeship course at college to gain an undergraduate degree.” Karen, 54.
Karen had been with the NHS for five years as a rehab assistant and was relatively happy in her job, but knew she wanted more.
“The only thing holding me back from furthering my career was the fact I needed to pass maths,” she explained. “At school I’d failed my O level and even though my teacher said I should go straight on and retake it I didn’t feel it was the right time and couldn’t wait to leave school and get a job. I didn’t need the maths qualification for a long while, but to progress and really reach my potential and further my career it became clear that this was the best way forward.”
Many people like Karen who didn’t pass maths at school are now taking advantage of the fully funded Multiply programme to improve their maths skills. Since September 2022, over 1500 individuals, employees, and parents across BCP and Dorset have accessed free online, or in-person Multiply courses to boost their numeracy skills for everyday life and for work.
Karen, who is married with two grown up children, continued: “The best thing about being an adult learner is that it’s different from school in almost every way. Forget everything you remember from school – it’s nothing like it.
“I didn’t feel left behind or scared to speak up and say I didn’t understand. Of course you do have to study, but this fits around your life, so it can be done in person, in a group, online, during the day or in the evenings – my tutors would always accommodate my schedule.”
“In fact, Julie and James my Skills & Learning tutors have been with me throughout my learning journey and I am forever grateful for their support.”
“We have done one to one sessions at the hospital where I work, in the evenings at home via Teams, and also as part of a small group, which I joined and to my surprise, really enjoyed.”
“Adult tutors look at you as a person, an individual. Mine knew that I’m very a visual learner and that I respond well to the ‘show me not tell me’ method. So, they pulled out lots of different types of resources to help me learn.”
“They never once got annoyed or impatient. There’s no rush and you don’ feel pressured at all. It sounds like a cliché, but at one point it does just sort of click and you realise: I can do this!
“Even so I’m not ashamed to admit I cried on this journey, and I wondered at times if I’d ever get there.
“The lowest point was probably when I sat my first exam and came out knowing I hadn’t done very well. But I was determined not to let it beat me so kept practising and doing the classes and on my second attempt I passed.
“The key for me was to be committed to the process. I feel that my family are quite proud me and the sense of achievement I feel now I’ve done it is amazing.
“I would encourage anyone who’s thinking about doing maths to just go for it. It’s never too late!”
Inspired by Karen? Find our more:
Maths is an essential skill needed for most job roles. Improving your knowledge and skills can therefore help boost your job prospects and open up new opportunities, as well as giving you more confidence when dealing with numbers, whether that’s at home, in your daily life or at work.
Multiply Dorset offers courses FREE to all Dorset and BCP residents aged 19 or above. Courses are available for individuals, schools, businesses, the self-employed, people with special needs or learning disabilities and speakers of English as an additional language.
For more information email: enquiries@salbcp.com phone: 01202 123444, or click here.
