NURSERY CARE LEADS SARAH TOWARDS A CAREER AS A MIDWIFE

Sarah Leighton has set her sights on a career delivering babies after successfully developing her caring skills at a children's day nursery.

Sarah, 18, from Middletown, near Welshpool, was one of only 15 applicants from an entry of 100 selected for the three-year midwifery course at Stafford University, which begins in September.

She says a Council Award in Childcare and Education level three diploma and a Foundation Modern Apprenticeship with a National Vocational Qualification level two in Early Year Childcare and Education helped her clinch the place.

Sarah is one of more than 14,000 young people and adults in Wales building high quality careers through Modern Apprenticeship training, which is backed by the Welsh Assembly Government's workforce development programme.

Currently working for Mary Langford-Archer at Brookfield House Day Nursery, her training has been delivered by Powys Training for the Welsh Assembly Government's Department of Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DELLS).

She opted for work based learning at the age of 16 after deciding that a sixth form college was not for her. Over the space of two years at the nursery, which has nine staff caring for 18 children, she has developed from a shy teenager into a confident, dedicated and valued member of staff.

"It has been a really good experience to get into a working environment and gain qualifications with support from Mary," said Sarah. "Working with children suits me because I am not someone who would enjoy being stuck behind a desk nine to five."

"I am now looking forward to a new challenge and the chance to develop a career in midwifery appeals to me."

Sarah's advice for school leavers when selecting a career path: "Think about what you are interested in and what you enjoy and don't go along with what everyone else is doing."

Grenville Jackson, head of the Skills, Business and Employability Division of DELLS, said: "Modern Apprenticeships have proved themselves to be excellent opportunities for individuals like Sarah and companies to achieve their aspirations."

Although disappointed to be losing Sarah at a time when the business is expanding, Mrs Langford-Archer said she was delighted for her and wished her success at university. "She has matured so much, her attitude and motivation are fantastic and she has a brilliant relationship with the children," she added.

"NVQs are great because they offer an alternative to the academic route of learning, which some young people prefer. It gives them an opportunity to gain valuable qualifications whilst also benefitting from hands on work experience."

Training officer Janis Gwynn, of Powys Training, praised Mrs Langford-Archer for her support and encouragement to help Sarah realise her potential.

"It is so important to find the right placement for the individual learner," she said. "Mary and I have worked together for some time, using work experience or the valuable Skillbuild programme to give the learner the opportunity to settle into a new learning environment and it works so well."

Modern Apprenticeships are available to individuals of all ages who are employed and want to train. These training frameworks cover more than 90 different job types.