Paul has confidence issues as he suffers from Autism, but always felt the need for personal development, and was keen to challenge himself.

Paul started doing voluntary work at the Ladybrook Community Centre. This worked out well. So he moved from being a volunteer into full-time employment at the centre. He started working as an Apprentice at Level 2 in Business Admin through Enable.

Paul decided to rise to the challenge. His Assessor Helen Horner (from the appropriately named Training Provider 'Positive Outcomes') states that Paul deliberately picked units within the qualification that would challenge his fears and develop his skills the most. Helen said Paul really applied himself and used his difficulties and his Autism in a positive way to methodically plan and achieve his qualification, she felt this inspired and spurred on his colleagues at the Community Centre to also achieve their qualification as well.

It was a big thing for Paul to stand up in front of a group of people. Because of his condition his nerves would get the better of him and he would become self conscious. He selected presentation skill units both in his Level 2 and then in a L3 Business Admin Apprentice that he has just completed. Once Paul had achieved his Level 2 and realised how his learning had supported and developed him, he decided he would like to progress further and continue on his learning journey so he asked to undertake a Level 3 qualification again picking units that would challenge him. Both Helen his Assessor and Sharron Reynolds his Manager have nothing but praise for his achievements and the development of his personal skills. Paul says his confidence, communication skills, and overall learning journey have better prepared him for the future. As he re-enters the job market he believes the new skills he has will really help him with future employment and employability.

His Manager Sharron says that the work based learning journey that Paul had been on has improved his skills and aspirations in life.