Success at School - 60 Second Interview: Mercedes Toni Shepherd

Mercedes is training to become a nursery assistant. She tells us how she got the role, what she loves about it — and why not taking yourself too seriously is important.

Name: Mercedes Toni Shepherd

Company: Willows Day Nursery (training with Qube Learning)

Industry: Childcare

Job role: Trainee nursery assistant

Length of time in role: Three months

Education: Traineeship in Childcare, Maths: Entry Level 3 (achieved with Qube)

1. What was your very first job?

This work placement at Willows is my first job.2. What did you want to do when you were at school?

I have always wanted to work with children. I’m from a big family and have always been around children.3. How did you find out about the industry?

From my careers advisor at school and from Qube Learning.4. How did you get to where you are today?

I applied for a nursing assistant traineeship with Qube Learning just by ringing them up and booking an appointment at the Kickstart Centre in Bradford. Qube found me my placement at Willows. I didn’t get the grades I’d hoped for in my GCSEs but I get to do Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths with Qube.