Apprentice blog: ‘For once, the impossible became possible’:
Gemma Le Roux always found learning difficult due to being dyslexic and partially deaf and did not enjoy school. But when the mum-of-two from Ardgay began a career in childcare in her mid-thirties, she knew she needed qualifications to develop her practice. Facing her biggest fear, Gemma enrolled on an SVQ3 in Social Services (Children and Young People) through UHI Inverness as a Modern Apprentice. That decision was life-changing.
Gemma completed her qualification in record time - within just a year - and is now studying for a degree through the BA Early Learning and Childcare Graduate Apprenticeship programme. She has recently been named as a Health and Social Care Apprentice of the Year finalist in the Highlands and Islands Apprenticeship Awards 2026 and has also taken on more leadership responsibilities within her existing practitioner role in Stepping Stones Nursery, Tain.
Here, Gemma (37) explains how the support she received from her employer and UHI Inverness opened a new world
“For much of my life, I believed that education and learning were things I simply wasn’t good at. I now realise that it wasn’t that I couldn’t learn - it was that I had not yet found the right way for me to learn."
Returning to learning
“I am a mother of two children, and around two and a half years ago, I decided it was time for me to return to work. I had always had a passion for childcare, so I began my journey at Stepping Stones Nursery. This passion has always been a big part of who I am. My mum and dad fostered children for many years, so I grew up in a household surrounded by lots of children. I think this helped develop my understanding and appreciation of the importance of providing children with a safe, caring and supportive environment.
“After about a year, I decided to take the next step and begin my SVQ through UHI Inverness. This was a huge decision for me. I was extremely nervous and, if I am completely honest, I didn’t think I would be able to do it. I am partially deaf and dyslexic, and I have faced personal challenges throughout my life. School was never a positive experience for me, and I always found learning difficult. The thought of going back to college and completing assessments was one of my biggest fears, but I knew it was something I needed to overcome if I wanted to continue developing my career in childcare."
Receiving the right support
“When I started, the support I received from the staff was amazing. They helped me feel comfortable and reassured me that I could complete the course. After completing my first assessment, I remember feeling such a huge sense of relief. For the first time, I started to think: ‘I can actually do this’.
“Technology has been a complete game changer for me. It opened opportunities that I never thought would be possible. I could talk into my iPad and then use Grammarly to help check my spelling and grammar. Having the text read aloud to me also made a huge difference, as it allowed me to process and understand information in a way that worked for me.
“I have realised that I am a very visual learner and learn best when I am able to be hands-on and do something. The Modern Apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to work, gain practical experience and achieve my qualification at the same time. This suited my learning style much better than sitting through long lectures or returning to a traditional college environment.
“As I progressed through my SVQ, something unexpected happened. After my first assessment, I realised I had so much knowledge, experience and opinions that I wanted to share. I had always struggled to get my thoughts onto paper, but suddenly I had the tools and confidence to express myself."
Building confidence and knowledge
“The biggest thing I took from completing my SVQ was confidence. I grew not only as a practitioner but also as a person. The course encouraged me to reflect on myself, my experiences and the way I approach my practice. It changed the way I viewed things and helped me see situations from completely different perspectives. For once in my life, something I had always believed was impossible became possible.
“Everything I needed was available through UHI MyDay, including all the learning resources, links, books and other materials. The system itself was easy to navigate, and it did not take me long to get my head around it.
“One of the things I liked most was that not everything had to be written down. There were face-to-face assessments, discussions, mind maps and questionnaires. I could even use feedback from my work reviews as evidence. I really liked the variety of evidence I could use, as I did not feel like I had to sit and write all the time.
“My assessor was also very helpful and was always there when I needed her. She would often return my assessments with helpful advice on what I needed to add or change. This helped me understand what was expected and I improved my work as I progressed through the course.
“I have gained a greater understanding of policies and procedures, as well as the theories behind child development. Gaining this knowledge has given me the confidence to take on a leadership role, and I now feel more comfortable motivating and supporting my colleagues. It has also had a huge impact on my professionalism. I have noticed a difference in the way I write, communicate my thoughts and express myself professionally."
Motivating others
“One of the things I am particularly proud of is that my own experience has allowed me to encourage someone else. I was able to give one of my colleagues the encouragement and reassurance she needed to complete her own SVQ. Knowing that my journey could help someone else believe in themselves means a lot to me.
“I am incredibly grateful that I was given the opportunity to complete my SVQ. I feel my studies have given me a greater understanding of child development, theories, policies and procedures, and how these link to my everyday practice within the nursery. They have also encouraged me to look beyond what I do each day and understand why I do it.
“What started as a decision to return to work has become something much bigger and more personal. This journey is now about discovering what my limits are and finding out what I am truly capable of achieving.”