Crystal Hughes

Paving Her Own Path: Crystal’s Journey

After completing her GCSEs with strong A*–C results, Crystal joined Itec Skills in Bridgend on the Advancement strand. At the point of joining, Crystal had just completed a placement at a local salon, but it soon became clear that this was not where her heart lay. With support from Itec staff, Crystal bravely shared that her ambition had previously been dismissed.

Through compassionate encouragement and honest conversations with the team, Crystal finally felt safe to voice her long‑standing dream to become a Social Worker and make a meaningful difference in young people’s lives. The moment she reconnected with that passion, everything changed. Working closely with Itec staff, a path was shaped that would help her rediscover her confidence and take real steps toward the future she deserved.

Itec staff guided Crystal through a range of qualifications to set her up for the future that was once dismissed. The qualifications included the City & Guilds Level 1 Introductory Award in Employability Skills (QCF), a Level 1 Customer Service qualification, and the C&G Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools. Her progress, commitment, and consistent engagement with the programme gave Crystal the foundation she needed to take the next step toward her future.

In paving her own path with continued encouragement from Itec staff, Crystal gained hands‑on experience in a primary school, allowing her to build her skills, nurture her strengths, and truly envision the career she once thought was out of reach.

Today, she is thriving in a local primary school while working towards her Teaching Assistant qualification, growing in confidence, purpose, and belief every single day.

Itec Assessor Hannah Walker commented: “Crystal is no longer following someone else’s expectations; she is proudly walking the path she was meant for.”