Millie’s journey began with Itec when she found the JGW+ programme whilst searching for a fresh start. When leaving school, Millie was unsure of which direction her future would take, resulting from reading and writing difficulties and a lack of confidence. As Millie shared: “I did try a college course for hair and beauty but could not get on with the course; I did not think it was for me.” Feeling uncertain and lacking confidence in her academic abilities, she knew she needed a learning environment where she could feel supported, progress at her own pace, and build skills that truly mattered to her. Joining the Jobs Growth Wales+ programme at her local Itec centre opened a door she had not believed was possible a chance to gain hands‑on experience, develop new skills, and work towards a qualification in a sector she had always been interested in but never felt capable of pursuing because of her reading and writing difficulties. It marked the beginning of a journey that would transform her future. Millie transitioned from her JGW+ placement to a Level 2 apprenticeship with Partnership of Care, supported by Itec. Support That Made a Difference Millie highlighted some initial worries when beginning the apprenticeship: “Because of my reading and writing difficulties, I did not think I would be able to get a level 2.” Millie quickly found that the apprenticeship structure suited her perfectly, practical, supportive, and hands‑on, continuing to build on the confidence and skills she had long doubted she could achieve. Itec made sure she had the right environment to succeed, introducing practical adjustments that supported her learning journey. Millie explained: “I did observations through voice recording instead of writing and got extra time.” Her Itec assessor dedicated time to understanding how she worked best, offering encouragement, support, and strategies to help her stay focused and grounded. As Millie described: “I get distracted and overwhelmed. They would encourage me to take a breath; it is like they knew me. They took time to understand how I worked; it was amazing.” Looking back on the support she received, Millie is clear about how much it mattered: “There was sometimes I thought I am not going to be able to do this; I was reassured by my Itec assessor. I feel like having my assessor give me that boost did help a lot, reassured me, I could do this and helped me along the course. As I did not have much confidence.” On reflecting on her journey, Millie highlighted the impact that Itec support has had: “I would not have been able to do it otherwise… I was honestly so lucky.” A New Sense of Confidence As Millie progressed through her apprenticeship, she began to see just how far she had come both personally and professionally. Working at Partnership of Care gave Millie the chance to put her learning into practice. She reflected on how this shaped her confidence: “I gained confidence with my job role, understanding what is expected of me and knowing the terminology.” The combination of workplace experience and structured learning helped her build confidence she never thought she would have, she explains: “I feel like I would not be where I am now. To have an opportunity like this, I think, is great.” On completing her Level 2 Health and Social Care apprenticeship, Millie shared: “I feel like I have got somewhere in life, which I did not think I would be able to. I feel like I can do anything now.” Looking Ahead After completing her apprenticeship, Millie will continue her employment with Partnership of Care after returning from maternity leave. With a strong foundation behind her and a renewed sense of confidence, she is already looking ahead to her next goal: progressing onto her Level 3 qualification. Millie’s journey shows how powerful the apprenticeship pathway can be especially for learners who have faced barriers in traditional education. With the right structure, personalised support, and a team who believed in her, Millie was able to grow into her potential and build a future she once thought was out of reach.