Case Studies

Jack – Securing paid employment with a Supported Internship

Jack’s accomplishments have shown that with some support, guidance, and self-belief, you really can achieve your goals. The Ixion team are so incredibly proud of Jack and cannot wait to see him grow and flourish more in the future.

Annieka – Starting her career with HSC Skills Bootcamp

Annieka was a stay-at-home mum but decided to do something for herself and completed the Skills Bootcamp in Health and Social Care.

Photo of woman smiling and holding a clipboard.

Amanda – Gaining confidence and a change in career

Amanda was self-employed for around 18 years before working in a children's home that is part of Shaw Trust and later joined the Care Academy.

Debbie Flowers NOCN Level 3 Award Information, Advice or Guidance

Debbie: Gaining a new qualification to upskill

Debbie was working on our Shaw Trust JETs programme and was given the opportunity to upskill and gain a qualification. Our NOCN Level 3 Award in Information, Advice or guidance qualification has given Debbie a sense of pride and achievement.

Carrie – Finding a new career path

Carrie has been studying our beauty qualifications at our Ixion Beauty centre in Plymouth and was finding it difficult to settle in one career. We find out how our beauty qualifications have given Carrie an exciting new career path and motivation to succeed.

Dawn: Gaining new skills professionally as a careers leader

Dawn has a passion for working in the careers guidance sector and wanted to gain a qualification to develop her knowledge further. Our OCR Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development qualification has helped Dawn to put theoretical knowledge into practice as a Careers Leader.

Holly – Gaining a distinction in Level 3 Business Administration

Holly is an Admin Support Officer for our Advanced Learner Loans team and has recently completed her Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship. Find out why Holly decided an apprenticeship was the best path, how she was supported and why ‘The Climb’ by Miley Cyrus represents Holly’s learner experience.

Aimee – gaining a distinction for her digital marketing apprenticeship

Aimee is a Marketing Manager and recently completed her Level 3 Digital Marketing apprenticeship, increasing her skill set - and gaining a distinction!

Adam – Moving on in his career with a coaching apprenticeship!

Adam is the first person to complete our Level 5 Professional Coaching qualification! Find out what it was like to go back to studying at 41 years old!

Matt – Gaining qualifications and boosting mental health with Jump into Work

Matt left school without any qualifications due to mental health issues. Find out how Jump into Work has helped him to get in a better place.

Chloe – Becoming self-employed to support people with autism

Chloe has Asperger’s, a high-functioning form of autism, and wanted to focus on pursuing a career she was passionate about by providing a bespoke studio for people with special needs that find traditional salons overwhelming.

A young man shaking hands across a table

Building work skills with Jump into Work

We talked to two of our participants. Brandon, and one who wished to remain anonymous, to discuss their Jump into Work experiences.

Bronwen – Inspiring students and gaining confidence with an inclusive apprenticeship

Bronwen has dyslexia and autism and is undertaking a Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship which has been adapted to suit her needs.

Tanya – Growing into a leadership role thanks to an apprenticeship

Tanya opted for an apprenticeship after taking on management responsibilities. Find out how it has helped boost her confidence and develop her career.

Nadia – Growing in confidence and gaining skills with a marketing apprenticeship

Nadia opted for an apprenticeship in marketing rather than going to university. Since then, her confidence has grown as she’s taken on more responsibilities.

Verity – Improving future prospects with an apprenticeship

Verity is currently completing the Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship while working for the NHS. Find out how she is getting on and the impact it is having on her career.

Mia – Looking towards a future in health and social care with Jump into Work

Mia was out of education and employment thanks to the pandemic before embarking upon Jump into Work. Now, she is looking forward to a work placement and career in health and social care.

Tom – Building confidence and looking to the future with Jump into Work

Tom struggled with anxiety and low self-confidence before embarking upon Jump into Work. Find out how it has helped him progress!

Olivia – Breaking down barriers with a coaching professional apprenticeship

Olivia is currently completing the Level 5 Coaching Professional Apprenticeship. Find out how she is being helped to break down barriers after a dyscalculia diagnosis.

Image of a lady wearing a headset and typing on a keyboard

Sharon – Finding fulfilment with a customer service short course

After a period of unemployment Sharon recently completed a Level 1 Customer Service course, and is now looking forward to her future.

Lais – Gaining confidence with a customer service apprenticeship

Lais is currently completing the Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship. Find out how it has boosted her confidence – and why she chose a butterfly to represent her journey!

Happy female manager and male employee working on project.

Elaine – Developing leadership skills with an apprenticeship in management

Elaine is a Quality Compliance and Training Manager. Find out how an apprenticeship in management has developed her leadership skills.

Man wearing a high vis jacket and hard hat in a warehouse full of steel coils

Jonny – From unemployed to a career in warehousing

Jonny recently completed a Level 2 Warehousing course, and with a fresh CV with new skills, he has successfully gained a job at Boston Docks.

Rasha – Boosting confidence and gaining skills with an employability apprenticeship

Rasha is a Rapid Response Support Manager with Shaw Trust. Find out why she feels more confident and capable after completing her apprenticeship.

Close up of lady with blonde hair and glass on her head

Paula – Learning something new with an apprenticeship in marketing

Find out why, as an Apprentice learner in her fifties, Paula believes everyone should be learning.

Michael – Achieving a distinction and gaining management skills

Michael Foster talks to us about his role as Senior Advisor for Shaw Trust, and how the Operations/ Departmental Manager Level 5 Apprenticeship has helped him hone his management skills.

Samantha – Team Leader/Supervisor Level 3 Apprenticeship

Samantha Banks, Team Leader on Shaw Trust’s Connecting Choices project, talks to us about how her apprenticeship has helped her to progress both professionally and personally.

Renata – Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship

Renata Graver tells us about her career so far with Shaw Trust, and how an apprenticeship helped her to progress to the role of Chief of Staff.

A team gathered round a desk in an office

Olga – Level 5 Coaching Professional Apprenticeship

Olga is currently completing the Level 5 Coaching Mentor Apprenticeship. Find out why she chose to do the apprenticeship and how she is getting on!

Taiba – Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship

Taiba started her Teaching Assistant Level 3 apprenticeship earlier in 2021, we caught up with her to talk about her experience so far.

Pele – Discovering the many aspects to management on his apprenticeship

Pele is currently undertaking an Apprenticeship in Management - find out what he has learnt so far and how he has been applying it to his role.

Niamh – Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing

Niamh McCafferty is working towards her apprenticeship in Digital Marketing, so we caught up with her to ask about her learner journey, what she has gained from her role personally and professionally - and find out why she chose a cheetah to represent her learning experience!

Head and shoulders of lady wearing glasses

Paula – From a customer service course to a supervisory role in retail

Paula recently completed a Level 1 Customer Service course, and with a fresh CV and new skills, she applied for a job in retail and was offered a supervisory role.

Male in a shirt taking selfie in a mirror

Steven – Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing

Steven Henderson has just completed his Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing, we caught up with him to ask him about his learner journey, what he has gained from his role personally and professionally – and find out why he chose a wolf to represent his learning experience!

Black and white photo of a young woman wearing glasses smiling

Lillie – Apprenticeship in Business Administration

Lillie Tempest-Routledge recently completed her Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration, so we caught up with her to ask her about her learner journey and her plans for the future - plus, find out what her best experience was and why she chose a giraffe to represent her learner journey!

A young lady with blonde hair smiling while stood in front of some plants and rocks

Ruby – Distinction Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care

Following her recent Distinction for her apprenticeship in health and social care, we caught up with Ruby Henly to ask her about her learner journey, what she found the most challenging and how she has been able to apply the skills she's learnt in her role as a mental health support worker.

Payal – Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care

Payal Patel is a domiciliary care worker and has just completed her Level 2 apprenticeship in health and social care, so we caught up with her to ask her about her learning experience and how she has put her knowledge and skills into practice!

Nicola – Distinction Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care

Nicola has just completed her level 3 Apprenticeship as a lead Adult Care Worker securing a distinction. We asked her about her current role as a mental health support worker and discussed how her confidence has grown both professionally so she has taken on more responsibility and personally and the support she's received from her tutor, employer and family.

Joe – Apprenticeship in Careers and Employability

Joe Watts is currently mid-way through his apprenticeship as an Employability Practioner, so we caught up with him to find out how he's getting on, how his opinion of apprenticeships has changed and the impact the apprenticeship has had on his job role.

Jonathan – Apprenticeship in Management

We spoke to Jonathan Weighall about gaining his apprenticeship in management, the apprenticeship that started his career and how he has professionally developed since gaining his qualification – and the importance of learning in securing his future, as well as that of his pupils. We also asked him if his learning experience was an animal what animal would it be …

Rebecca – Diploma in Social Media for Business

Rebecca has already applied the skills she learnt on her Diploma in her volunteer role at a local charity. She’s been able to connect with her audience on social media during lockdown when people needed it the most. Find out what have been her highs and lows and what she plans to do next!

Jack – Apprenticeship in Education

Completing his apprenticeship during lockdown, we spoke to Jack Metcalfe-Chase to find out about what his qualification in education means to him, his experience and the support he's received. Plus, we asked him to sum up his learning experience with us in words, in a song and as an animal ...

Female smiling at the camera with level 3 distinction title

Chipo: Distinction in Health and Social Care and BAME Apprenticeship Awards winner!

Achieved in April 2020, Chipo’s hard work and determination, together with employer and tutor support and encouragement saw her achieving the highest marks within a sector focused on supporting and caring for vulnerable people in society, and achieving a Distinction oin her Level 3 Apprenticeship as a Lead Adult Care Worker.

Care worker sat outside iwth an older man showing care and support

Distinction in Health and Social Care for Kieron!

Great news for Kieron who acheived a Distinction in Health and Social Care in February 2020! Determined to be able to provide the best support he could for vulnerable individuals in our society, and despite personal setbacks he persevered to achieve the highest grade possible in his apprenticeship!

A care worker supporting an elderly lady

Elizabeth’s Apprenticeship as a Lead Adult Care Worker

Elizabeth works in a domicillary care company in Maidstone, Kent. This is the first job that she has held in the care industry. On her first meeting with her Teaching Assessor Suzanne Marfleet, she explained she had Aspergers which affects her concentration and ability to form relationships.

Case Study: Start of a Career in Construction for Neil

Neil was referred to the Construction Traffic Management programme from his local Job Centre, and the weekend after completing the course he was offered work that starrted the following Monday – with perks!

Success and Progression

We put care into developing careers – our learners, and their personal outcomes as individuals or as part of an organisation are at the heart of everything we do.

Read some of their stories below.