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BUILD THE FUTURE – Christine creates a new environment for herself
10/02/2021
“I never thought I had the confidence to go to University. Now that I’ve reached a milestone age, and knowing that I’ve got a wealth of experience behind me, I know that I want to further my career and back up all those years of experience with a qualification.”
Christine Beeston, 50 from Telford, is determined to create a new environment for herself by studying for an Environmental Health Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Wolverhampton.
Christine is the Compliance Officer for Shire Services at Shropshire Council, dealing with catering, facilities management, cleaning and school food distribution. She has just started in her first year of the four year, part-time course funded by her employer through the Apprenticeship Levy.
Christine left school at 16 and trained to be a Chef, securing a City & Guilds qualification in Catering & Food Services and then advancing her career in hospitality management by studying for a Higher National Diploma in Hospitality & Catering.
She eventually started working in a Health & Safety role at Shropshire Council and has worked there for almost 16 years, upskilling during her career with various professional development courses including NEBOSH Diploma training.
In her role, Christine focuses on health & safety, food safety, writes policies and procedures, focuses on safety management systems, risk assessments and audits to ensure that the Council’s high standards are maintained.
She said: “I never thought I had the confidence to go to University. Now that I’ve reached a milestone age, and knowing that I’ve got a wealth of experience behind me, I know that I want to further my career and back up all those years of experience with a qualification.
“During my career at Shropshire Council, I’ve developed a real interest in Environmental Health and I would like to advance my career and have the option to move more towards a role in Public Protection. I have lots of practical experience, but nothing to back this up in terms of qualifications, and without that I won’t be able to get to where I want to be.
“My two children are older and now more self-sufficient and, after talking it over with my family because this is a big commitment for all of us, I feel that the time is right for me to further my career and this new Degree Apprenticeship will offer me that opportunity.
“I’m getting lots of support from my employer as well as the University and, whilst I’m trying to get used to the challenges of academic learning, I’m finding the library resources useful and I know there will be ample support from my Skills Coach.
“I’m already learning theory that I can take back into the business and am writing an assignment that focuses on child food poverty which will really help us to improve our practices – the Public Health connection is really important. I already have ideas about how to improve the business and support the team based on my learning.”
Find out more about how Degree Apprenticeships can benefit you or your business: www.wlv.ac.uk/naw2021
For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.
