Fully-qualified and now living the dream, Charlotte Fyfe, 28, from Barry, has achieved her career ambition as a veterinary nurse via work based learning.
Charlotte first started her career as a Trainee on work placement at Barry Vets in Barry with ACT, Wales’ leading training provider.
Charlotte said: “I absolutely love my job. I love working with animals and their owners and it’s something that I have wanted to do since I was little.
“I’m so happy with my training choice. I really rate Traineeships and Apprenticeships. They are such a good idea and provide vital work experience to young people who do not have any experience or any thought of what they want to do. It also helps that you earn and learn on the job. To think I was going to go to university.”
Unlike other options available to young people, the vocational training route that Charlotte decided to take enabled her to earn money whilst gaining nationally recognised qualifications and vital work experience in the animal care sector.
After successfully completing the Traineeship, Charlotte’s employers at Barry Vets were so impressed with her performance that they offered her a full-time job, which then allowed her to progress onto an Apprenticeship and complete her veterinary nurse training.
Charlotte said: “I have been very lucky to have such great employers. Not only did they give me a chance by taking me on as a Trainee, but they also offered me a job and supported me to continue my training to become a veterinary nurse.”
Deborah Komianos, Regional Director for Wales at CVS (UK) Ltd, said: “Charlotte joined us on a work placement initially and quickly became one of the team. She was keen to learn and always polite and punctual, so when a vacancy for a nurse training position arose, she was the obvious choice. It has been a pleasure working with her and watching her complete her journey to qualified veterinary nurse.”
Andrew Cooksley, Managing Director at ACT said: “This is a great example of how work based learning can lead to a successful and fulfilling career. I am delighted to hear how ACT has helped Charlotte achieve her career ambition and I wish her well in her role now that she has successfully completed her training.”
Funded by the Welsh Government, a Traineeship is a Pre-Apprenticeship training programme that prepares young people not otherwise engaged in education or employment. ACT offers 12 Traineeships routes including Animal Care, Business Admin and Beauty and works with other 700 hundreds employers across Wales to delivery its Apprenticeship programmes.
