During the Covid pandemic, Ellie held a demanding position within the NHS, braving the high pressures of the healthcare environment.
However, with the joyful news of her pregnancy, Ellie decided it was time to embark on a career transition after her maternity leave. Ellie wanted to create a better balance between her professional pursuits and the needs of her growing family.
After some research, Ellie decided to complete a Skills Bootcamp in HGV driving.
Her father was an HGV driver and so she felt she understood what could be involved, and with three children, the increase in salary was also very appealing.
The Skills Bootcamp course was flexible and Ellie was able to fit it easily around family life.
Ellie faced some barriers in finding employment as most employers look for candidates with driving experience, but she persisted and was able to find an employer that would give her an opportunity. She had also worried that being a female driver and having children would mean her facing barriers to employment, but this wasn’t the case - after completing her Skills Bootcamp, Ellie found an employer who was really impressed with her and gave her an opportunity.
“Skills Bootcamp has given our family a better way of life”
In Ellie’s new role, her salary is the same as her and her partner’s combined take-home pay had been when the pair had both been working full time in previous roles. Ellie says, “Skills Bootcamp has given our family a better way of life”.
Her partner is now a full time stay at home parent whilst she works full time, and another bonus has been that her children feel that "she is a super cool Mum now that she’s driving lorries."
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with an employer.
Discover what Skills Bootcamp training we are funding if you wish to develop your skills, or find out more about how to get involved as an employer or skills provider.