Former Spalding Academy student ‘proud’ to be among first to complete Boston College’s free career-enhancing course

A former student has spoken of her pride after being one of the first people to successfully complete a college’s free training scheme.

Annie Shields, a 19-year-old from Spalding, recently finished a free 50-hour course designed to help develop the skills of those unemployed and build the careers of those already working.

The lessons, run by Boston College, come as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund initiative, which has allowed the school to host a wide range of free classes from forklift driver training to catering.

Supported by her employer, Annie undertook a range of one-day, seven-hour courses which covered everything from barista skills to customer service and time management and received a tablet from tutor Steve Cottrell afterwards.

She said: “Being a student on Boston College’s UKSPF project has provided brilliant learning opportunities for me.

“The range of courses has given me many new ideas and widened the scope of what I want to do for a career - and I have felt really well supported along the way.”

The project is open to anyone in South Holland, East Lindsey and Boston borough areas with two different branches focusing on restarting and upskilling, as well as career advancement.

“I have made new friends along the way who have been, along with the tutors, very supportive of my learning journey - it has been so much fun,” Annie added.

The former Spalding Academy student said she is very proud of what she has achieved and is happy that she can now expand her CV.

More information about the scheme can be found by emailing UKSPF@boston.ac.uk