National Inclusion Week – Phil’s Story

Every learning journey is different, so here at Smart, we’re celebrating the diverse ways our Apprentices learn and succeed! Discover how Phil is advancing his career and showing his kids that living with dyslexia is no barrier to achieving their dreams.

Read his full story below:

“I have been a manager for over 25 years; however, a long time ago I was told I had dyslexia after an assessment at Oldham College. Since then, I have finally decided, at the age of 49, that I want to actively deal with my dyslexia, get a decent qualification (CMI Level 5), and stop feeling stupid. A big motivator for me is showing my two youngest children, who both have dyslexia, that you can still achieve what you want in life regardless of the dyslexia.

My dyslexia has always been a barrier for me. I have missed out on promotions because someone else could complete assessments better than me and, most of all, because of a lack of confidence in myself and my skills. But Smart have been excellent so far and I cannot thank Debby and Adriana enough for their support and patience with me. I have got my English exam next week and Debby and Adriana have shown me great support. Most of all, they don’t make me feel stupid when I don’t pick something up.

The biggest change I’ve experienced since my Apprenticeship has been that my confidence has grown. There is still a long way to go, but I am confident that I can achieve my goals.”

During National Inclusion Week, we’re recognising the diverse learning journeys of our students and celebrating the distinct perspectives they share.