Name: Wendy Edwards
Age: 45
Job: To assess NVQ portfolios around the country
Tips for success: Young people should set their goals high and achieve them!
Role Model > Wendy Edwards
Do you ever think that you have limitations? Lack of qualifications, barriers and the like? Wendy Edwards has smashed her own personal glass ceiling, overcoming obstacles. She is an NVQ assessor who has created a career whilst suffering from a muscle and joint illness. She believes education should meet the individual’s needs and has overcome living on Disability Allowance; her mother’s attitude to learning is an inspiration to her
What do you do?
I am a trainee assessor dealing with NVQ level 1,2 and 3 in Customer Care. I work for a company called Training Partnerships.
What was your journey to get where you are?
My journey was very difficult as I was on Disability Living Allowance for 10 years.
What was your education like?
My education was at an all girls grammar school and I was also High Melton College studying Access to Nursing and Social Care but I loved it, i had to stop my studing when I was diagnosed with Fibro Myalgia.
What challenges have you faced?
The challenges I have faced have been getting the right qualifications and I was diagnosed with Fibro Myalgia when I was 29 years old. Fibro Myalgia affects the muscles in the body and causes me chronic widespread pain and joint stiffness.
Did you have any support?
My support was my husband who never moaned when I was out getting my education. My children who helped me in any way they could and were even understanding of my condition.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me means achieving goals that I have set myself.
What drives you including what kept you going through the hard times?
What drives me is learning new things such as courses and enjoying these things.
Who is your role model and why?
My role model is my mother as she has always loved learning and doing new courses even into her 60s.
What advice would you give to young people?
The advice I would give to young people is to learn something no matter what it is. It does not matter if you are not academic. Also to learn something new every year i.e. How to build something. To update your skills no matter what it is.
What do you think education should like?
I think education should be personal and depend on what an individual needs to learn.
What were the hardest goals to accomplish?
The hardest goal I found to accomplish was when I was on Disability Living Allowance. I found it hard to get a job as people were concerned I would need time off and the struggle is still ongoing.
What were the easiest things accomplish?
The easiest goal I found was to pass my driving test, although the test was hard I took it so I could be independent.
NVQ assessor
