A THURROCK woman has told how she has been able to fulfil her aspirations by becoming a student again – at the age of 34.

Kate Williams, from Grays, has worked in adult social care for more than a decade, but always regretted not getting a university education.

However, a new degree apprenticeship, developed by Anglia Ruskin University in partnership with her employer, Thurrock Council, provided a new pathway to finally allow Kate to study for a Social Work degree while continuing to work.

Speaking during this week's inaugural Social Work Week, Kate said: "I had been through some challenging years personally, and had lost confidence in my working role. There had been talks for a while about funding social work degrees, so when the opportunity for the apprenticeship became available, I did not hesitate to apply.

"The apprenticeship route offered by Thurrock Council was an amazing opportunity. To financially maintain my home and continue in paid employment, while my employer also paid the cost of my degree, has been a real gift."

Kate spends one day a week studying with Anglia Ruskin University and the remaining four in the workplace. The apprenticeship will equip her to work in either adult or children's services once she completes the course and registers with Social Work England as a qualified social worker.

The apprenticeship has already given me a variety of different experiences and I have learned so much in a very short space of time," she said.

"The transferrable skills I have been able to show in my placement will benefit my career in social work. I feel that I will have more knowledge to be able to support my team, the wider department and, most importantly, the people we support."