Mary Paris - Business Manager
Mary Paris - Business Manager, Children’s Services in NHS Fife
In April 2000 Mary decided the time was right for her to restart her education. She had begun working straight from school. Her family were growing up. Work methods within the NHS and the Local Health Care Cooperatives (LHCCs) were changing. Mary was ready to learn new skills and techniques which would help her in her post which too was evolving along with the LHCC's role in the delivery of primary care.
The first step was a Return to Learn course offered by the Workers' Educational Association (WEA)/Unison through NHS Fife. After this Mary was keen to learn more and by 2002 had completed two Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) at Level II and Level III in Business Administration followed by a Modern Apprenticeship in Business Administration.
The SVQ qualifications were undertaken in the workplace with support every two or three weeks from a tutor and from the NHS Fife Training Manager. The Modern Apprenticeship was also delivered at work, again with support from the Training Manager and visits by a tutor from the local college.
Next up in 2003 was a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Business Management. This was a day release course at a college in Kirkcaldy.
Mary enjoyed her period of learning immensely but also admitted "It was heavy going at times, especially when you have a full time job and a home and family to look after. I had to be very focussed to ensure my course assignments were handed in on time and completed to the standard required.
The best thing was the sense of achievement - gaining qualifications as a mature student and being able to progress from one qualification to another."
Mary joined the NHS in 1991 working part time in a clerical officer post. Had she not undertaken some of the training described, she would not have had the confidence to apply for promotion as opportunities came along. The skills and experience she has gained over the years together with training and qualifications linked to the work she did and the career path she wanted to follow, have helped Mary progress within the organisation.
She acknowledges the importance of a learning-friendly work environment and a supportive line manager. She also tries to apply this in her own role as manager, mentoring staff members to help them develop their own skills and encouraging them to consider studying for further qualifications.
Mary is now contemplating doing a degree.
