HBTC’s BBO programme helps Sophie progress in her career
Sophie is one of many success stories, having benefited from the BBO programme offered by HBTC. This allowed her to gain the skills and knowledge she needed to take on a new challenge in her career.
Sophie joined HBTC’s BBO programme last year, which focuses on the role of a Teaching Assistant. Having worked at a cake factory as a weight checker for around 10 years, Sophie left her previous job to have her son. Sophie was interested in learning more about becoming a Teaching Assistant as this is a role that would fit around her son when he starts school
Since taking part in BBO Sophie has shown great commitment to the programme and has been undertaking lots of courses that will help her when applying for TA roles. In addition to the Introduction to Teaching Assistant resources, Sophie has completed accredited courses in Safeguarding and Prevent, Understanding Children’s Mental Health, Understanding Autism and Understanding Common Childhood Illnesses. Sophie says, “I have gained a vast amount of knowledge and understanding from doing all of these courses”.
Sophie is receiving regular support from Janette, who is her Coach at HBTC, which Sophie has felt has been a great benefit to her.
“Even though the phone call with Janette does make me a bit nervous every week, I would say that’s the thing I enjoy the most as I really do enjoy speaking with her. I think she is a lovely person and is always so friendly and helpful and always willing to go above and beyond when I need her help. She is giving me more confidence in regards to speaking to people as well as I am quite a shy person and I do find it difficult to speak to people.”
Sophie has been using the knowledge that she has gained to create learning activities at home with her son including an Easter inspired periodic table (pictured below). Going forward Sophie would like to continue building on her knowledge and confidence with a view to becoming a Teaching Assistant within a school.
