Spotlight on Talent – Georgiana Vasiliu
Studied: Gateway to Employment: Care2Care programme
In the six weeks that Georgiana Vasiliu completed her pre-employment training programme at Walsall College, she says she improved her mental health and wellbeing much more than she had ever done over the last 12 months. She credits this to her vocational coach, Kimberley.
“My vocational coach really has helped change my life,” said Georgiana. “I had been working in retail but had a bad experience and had to leave my job. I ended up suffering bouts of anxiety, depression and agoraphobia. This affected my ability to work again.”
Having worked in paramedic support in Italy, Georgiana felt that the Care2Care programme was an ideal way to ease her way into a sector she was familiar with and learn new things. Even so, she was nervous about being in a different environment with new people.
“I was dreading coming into college at first, but Kimberley helped me come out of myself. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have finished the course.”
As time went on, Georgiana became more able to answer questions in class and further developed her reading and writing skills.
“My course has made me see that I’m not alone and that there are a lot of resources I can access to help me in my personal and professional life,” Georgiana added. “I’m much more prepared now to go back into the workplace.”
As well as completing all the required course activities, Georgiana has developed a career plan and professional development plan. These will ensure she retains her newly acquired knowledge and skills and can build on these in future.