Congratulations to Marlena on completing her Modern Apprenticeship in Pharmacy Services and qualifying as a registered Pharmacy Technician through her partnership with Fife College and the NHS.
Marlena’s journey is a fantastic example of how it is never too late to pursue your ambitions. After initially working in hospitality, she decided to follow her long-standing interest in pharmacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having gained experience as a Pharmacy Assistant, she took the opportunity to further develop her knowledge and skills through an apprenticeship after joining the NHS.
Returning to education later in life, particularly with English as her second language, initially felt daunting. However, with the support of her college lecturers, work-based assessors and colleagues, Marlena quickly grew in confidence and thoroughly enjoyed her learning experience. Over two years, she developed her knowledge, gained valuable practical skills and completed her SVQ.
Her apprenticeship has also opened the door to exciting new opportunities. Marlena has recently secured a new position as a Clinical Pharmacy Technician at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, which she will be starting in the new year.
Reflecting on her experience, Marlena said:
"Joining the apprenticeship was one of the best decisions I have made. Although it was challenging at times, it was also incredibly rewarding. Every time I submitted an assignment, passed an exam or completed another unit of the SVQ, I felt so proud of myself. It made me realise just how much you can achieve when you set your mind to something and put the effort in."
Marlena's story highlights how apprenticeships can support people at every stage of their career, helping them build confidence, gain qualifications and progress into new opportunities, regardless of their age or background.
We are incredibly proud of everything Marlena has achieved and wish her every success as she takes this exciting next step in her career.