Devotion drives Gabriela’s apprenticeship journey!
Gabriela joined us in 2017 as a Support Worker. Instantly, she demonstrated a deep devotion to improving the lives of the people we support. So, when she discovered we offered a wide range of learning opportunities, she looked for one that would support her professional goals and her desire to maximise the impact of her care and support.
It wasn’t long before Gabriela enrolled on one of our industry-leading apprenticeships. Learning alongside her daily role as a Support Worker, she was able to deepen her knowledge of social care while continuing to make a meaningful impact on the people we support.
Through dedication to development and a continued commitment to caring for others, Gabriela’s apprenticeship led to a promotion! Over the course of her apprenticeship, she was supported by her Line Manager and guided by her personal tutor from our apprenticeship training provider, Paragon Skills. Feeling supported, Gabriela invested time in her training, gained new skills, increased her confidence, and completed her apprenticeship.
Now, she’s a Senior Support Worker and is continuing to map out more routes to continuous professional growth. Every day, Gabriela’s enhancing our mission to create fulfilling lives for everyone we support, knowing her goals and passions are being fulfilled too.
Gabriela shared her apprenticeship experience with us, revealing how her passion for working in health and social care led her to completing a Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3 apprenticeship.
How did you begin in the sector?
I started as a support worker with Voyage Care in January 2017. A friend spotted the role and encouraged me to apply. They recognised my dedication to helping others and knew it would be the right environment for me.
I’d always wanted to work either in social care or a clinical setting, like a hospital. It’s a natural passion – something that I can’t describe in words.
Why did you choose this apprenticeship?
I chose to do an apprenticeship because I wanted to learn more about the social care sector, and grow in my role, so I could make an even bigger difference in people’s lives. I was supported by different people across Voyage Care to enrol. I’m grateful they saw my potential and I could pursue the opportunity.
How did the apprenticeship align with your daily role?
The Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker apprenticeship was relevant to my job as a Support Worker. Since embracing the opportunity for additional training, I’ve achieved a promotion. I’m now a Senior Support Worker. What I learnt on my course is still relevant to my daily role. I love my new position and applying my apprenticeship learnings to fulfil my senior responsibilities and duties.
How do you feel about your apprenticeship experience?
I feel really proud of myself – I worked hard to achieve my apprenticeship diploma and get good results. It wasn’t an easy journey – I had moments when I wanted to give up – but I kept going. I was afraid of failing but I had a great tutor who encouraged me and helped me when I needed it.
What was the best part of your apprenticeship?
I loved the group workshops. They’re a safe space where, even if you just have a little knowledge, no one judges you. There’s empowerment to express yourself, share your opinion, and share things with others. The best thing, apart from completing my apprenticeship, was passing my English exam! It was part of my apprenticeship course and something I wanted to do. With the right support, I achieved my goal!
What support did you receive along your journey?
My Manager at the home where I work – Cordwainers – offered me guidance and encouragement. And the training provider, Paragon Skills, provided incredible tutors and mentors who always stepped up to support me.
What are your hopes for the future?
For the future, I want to gain more knowledge and new skills, so I can continue to grow professionally. But what’s most important is embracing the confidence I now have in my daily role. I see what I do from a different perspective now. I can see what I’ve achieved and understand what is possible. I feel empowered to chase what is next. I’ve earned my confidence, and I’ll use that to keep opening new chapters.
Find out more about our apprenticeship pathways!
Visit our dedicated apprenticeships page to discover more about our apprenticeship pathways.