Returning to study after a period of unemployment can be a daunting prospect for anyone, but a Cumbernauld woman has been nominated for an award for Outstanding Achievement for overcoming her fear and starting on the path to a new career.
Alexis Grieve, 50, decided to begin the process to becoming an accountant after undertaking a taster course at Coatbridge College.
Alexis, who has two young children, had been unemployed since being made redundant in 2002 and was nervous about going back to work.
However, after reading about a personal development taster course in a North Lanarkshire’s Working brochure, Alexis decided to give it a go and completed the course at Coatbridge College in summer 2008.
The confidence she gained from the course inspired her to look into taking her studies further and she found out about the possibility of starting an NQ in Accountancy at the college.
Alexis explained: “After being out of work so long my confidence was completely shot, I felt I was too old to start a new career and with the time I spend looking after my for my twin daughters felt I would never have the chance to undertake full-time study.
“I’d always been interested in numbers and felt that accountancy would be a great opportunity to learn some new skills and increase my job prospects.”
Alexis is currently completing her NQ course and will start work towards her HNC in August, and is committed to becoming a fully-qualified accountant. She said:
“I’m hoping to build up my skills to undertake a degree in Accountancy next year. I’ve still got a long way to go, but I’m learning so much and really can’t wait to become a qualified accountant.
“I’m looking forward to being independent, earning my own money and setting a good example for my kids.”
Alexis says the support she has received in her studies as the key reason behind her nomination for the achievement award:
“Everyone has been great, both the course tutors and the other students have all been really supportive. It’s great to be recognised for this award and I really believe that the encouragement I’ve received has given me the confidence to get to this position.”
Chris Demspy, 23, from Cumbernauld, had been out of work for six years. He has now secured a job as a result of North Lanarkshire's Working teaming up with contact centre services company beCogent and Jobcentre Plus. 
