Group Supports – Healthcare QQI programme

Health Care QQI

Jackie, Glanmire (programme participant, February 2018-June 2019)

Before starting the health care course at SECAD Jackie was a stay at home parent for almost twenty years. From caring for her husband and daughter during illness, ‘’I was prompted to think about working in health care but, with only leaving cert education I thought this may be a problem.  I saw the course online, this was the start of a life change in such a short amount of time.’’

The personal development part of the course was key for Jackie, ‘’SECAD reassured me that I would be more than capable for the course. My confidence has been boosted with the help of SECAD’s course coordinator,  and the personal development course I completed.  Without the personal development course, I would not of been able to go any further.’’

Jackie found the course content enjoyable as well as the friendship developed with classmates all keen to get back into the workforce, ‘’It was such a great motivator and every class built my confidence. I thought yes, I can do this! While starting the QQI course itself is challenging, it’s rewarding and so worthwhile’’.

‘’The SECAD building itself is great as well as the use of the computer room and the kitchen for our coffee. Even though I am only on the course for a short time, I look forward to Tuesday and Wednesday every week. I do find going back to education challenging but with my assignments, I feel a self of pride as my last results would have been my leaving cert.’’

With good support in place, Jackie is confident she will do well in the course and get full time employment in the health care field. ‘’This course and previously the Personal Development course have given me a new purpose in life. If you would of asked me a few months ago that I would have the confidence and courage to go back to adult education I would have laughed, but it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I will have my first qualification and who knows, I may go onto bigger things.’’

‘’I would highly recommended this course to anybody thinking of going back to adult education as it has changed my life already in just a short period of time.’’