Martin Iliffie

Meet Martin Iliffie – A Journey to a New Career in Health & Social Care

After caring for family members, Martin decided to turn his experience into a career. Through the Health & Social Care Careers Bootcamp at Kidderminster College, he gained the skills and confidence needed to succeed. Now part of Worcestershire County Council's care team, Martin reflects on how the boot camp helped him achieve his goals. Read his story below!

1. What motivated you to enrol in the Health & Social Care Careers Bootcamp, and what were your expectations before starting the course?

Having had personal experience in looking after family members on a day-to-day basis, I felt that I had the skills and knowledge to pursue this as a career. I felt that the Health & Social Care Careers Skills Bootcamp at Kidderminster College was the way forward. If it wasn’t for the support of the staff, I am unsure that I would have been able to finish the course.

2. Can you describe how the boot camp equipped you with the skills and knowledge needed for your current role?

The varied content of the course meant that I was able to get a good understanding of the Health & Social Care sector, and the specialist knowledge held by the tutors enabled me to feel confident in the workplace.

3. What aspects of the boot camp did you find most valuable or impactful, and how did they contribute to your job search and interview process?

Part of the course delivery was interview skills and preparing me for the interview that the college arranged for me in the care team at Worcestershire County Council. We also took part in mock interviews with Sam which helped settle the nerves for the actual interview.

4. How did the course prepare you for the challenges you’ve faced in your new job, and what skills have been most applicable in your day-to-day work?

The knowledge gained in the course has enabled me to remain calm in any challenging situation.

5. In what ways has gained employment through this boot camp impacted your personal and professional life, and what advice would you give to others considering this pathway?

The course has motivated me to strive for more in my career and has also had a positive impact on my personal life. I would encourage others to enrol on the next Health & Social Care Careers Skills Bootcamp as it has been extremely helpful for me.