Rachel, a 30-year-old from the North East, was ready for a change. After building a career in hairdressing, she felt a calling toward a new field, one where she could continue helping people, but in a vital healthcare capacity. Today, Rachel is a Pharmacy Assistant Apprentice at Throckley Chemist, a role she credits to the intensive support and training provided by the Skills4 Skills Bootcamp.
Finding a New Direction
While Rachel loved the communication and attention to detail required in hairdressing, she found it difficult to break into the pharmacy sector without prior experience. "I felt it was difficult to get employment in this field on my own," Rachel explains.
After discovering the Skills Bootcamp on Indeed, she saw a clear route into a meaningful career. The programme offered exactly what she was looking for: a way to gain the foundational knowledge and the practical, "hands-on" experience she needed to succeed.
More Than Just a Classroom
For Rachel, the Skills Bootcamp was a transformative experience that went far beyond basic technical training. While transitioning to an online learning environment could have been a daunting prospect, she fully embraced the challenge as a way to pivot from her hairdressing background into healthcare. This journey was defined by a shift in mindset, allowing her to view the digital classroom not just as a place to learn facts but as a platform to build the professional resilience needed for a brand-new career path.
A major highlight of the programme was Rachel finding the confidence to step out of her comfort zone, specifically by learning to engage on camera and collaborate effectively with people she had never met. This personal growth was paired with a sharp focus on professional readiness; by refining her CV and mastering interview techniques with the Skills4 team, she became a standout candidate. Rachel credits this as the turning point in her journey, noting, "The interview prep made me significantly more visible to employers; I wouldn’t have been able to get a role without it."
Today, the independence and research skills she developed during the Skills Bootcamp serve as the foundation for her daily success in her studies and her new role at the pharmacy.
Securing the Goal
The hard work paid off. After completing the Skills Bootcamp, Rachel was thrilled to receive an interview invite from Throckley Chemist. Utilising a dedicated interview preparation session with the team at Skills4, Rachel walked into that interview with her natural bubbly personality and a newfound technical confidence.
She was successful in securing the Pharmacy Assistant Apprenticeship, achieving her ultimate goal. "I absolutely love my role," says Rachel. "I am learning more and more each week and working my way up. I have my future goals in mind. I love it so much."
A Word of Advice
Rachel is now a vocal advocate for the Skills Bootcamp, particularly for those who feel stuck or unsure of their next move.
"I think it is a massive confidence booster for anyone who doesn’t really know what they want to do. Because you have the options available to go into pharmacy, science or dental, it really does help with the avenue you wish to pursue. The assistance is there, and the team are fantastic, but if you really want something, you have to grab it with both hands. The boost in confidence was unreal."
Find out more
Find out more about our Skills Bootcamps and Apprenticeships.