SCQF LEARNING JOURNEY – MICHELLE AT DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY COLLEGE

Background to Dumfries & Galloway College

Dumfries and Galloway College is a further education institution and a leading voice in green skills development to help tackle climate change. With campuses in Dumfries and Stranraer, it is one of the main employers and providers of learning and training across the South of Scotland, with programmes ranging from senior-phase school partnerships to higher education. We strive to equip all members of our college community with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience they need to get ahead, whether that’s moving further into education or going onto employment.

Michelle’s Learning Journey

Finding herself out of work in her 40s after recovering from a life-changing illness, Michelle Moores decided to attend college as an adult learner to undertake an employability course at SCQF level 4 at Dumfries & Galloway College.
As Michelle was the oldest learner in the class, with the other learners the same age as her own children, she initially felt like a fish out of water, but quickly settled into college life.

The course required Michelle to complete a placement and her tutor suggested that she consider doing this at a day centre for adults with learning disabilities. At first Michelle was unsure, having no experience in the sector and not convinced it was the right fit for her skills. However, she went along and, in Michelle’s words,

“My tutor knew me better than I knew myself as I fell in love with the place.”

After such a great experience with her work placement, Michelle went on to do an SCQF level 4 Introduction to Health, Social and Childcare and completed a placement at the College within the Supported Programmes department which assured her that she was on the right path for her future career.

Michelle was keen to volunteer and find paid work in social care and stayed in touch with staff within the Supported Programmes department who had been really impressed with Michelle when she did her placement with them. After a hiring freeze at the College was lifted, Michelle gained a part-time role within the department. She then subsequently secured another part-time post at the College as a Prince’s Trust Programme Support Worker.

Having also completed programmes at SCQF levels 5 and 6, gaining new skills and a deeper understanding of the field, she moved on to the SCQF level 7 HNC in Social Services which she gained in June 2021.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my years at college, I found it a very positive experience that changed my life. I started college with a clear path for my future in mind. This was quickly changed through the discovery of supported work, for which I quickly developed a passion. I love what I do now, and couldn’t be happier.”

Michelle is now studying towards an SVQ at SCQF level 7 in Social Services and hopes to secure a managerial position at some point in the future.

To find out more about Dumfries & Galloway College see https://www.dumgal.ac.uk/