I was born in Wimbledon South London and went to school in Essex. At sixteen, I was fortunate to join an air conditioning company to begin a 4-year apprenticeship in Electrical Installation. The Engineering Industry Training Board (EITB) sent me to SENTRA in Shoeburyness for my broad-based training.

I developed basic skills in welding, fabrication, tool-making, prison engineering and electrical installation. I went on to complete my apprenticeship and worked for York International for 4 years as a skilled engineer.

I really only wanted to play football and, after attending South Thames College Putney in 1992 where I studied Recreation and Leisure and passed my Football Association coaching badges, I was offered a work placement at Fulham Football Club. I eventually went on to be a Community Coach where I organised soccer schools for the holidays i.e. summer, Easter, Whitsun and Christmas. I then went on to work for Southend United FC in the Community office and West Ham United FC running their Junior Hammers for 4 years until 2002.

I originally joined a trade union in 1984 and was part of the Amalgamated Engineering Workers Union which then became part of Amicus and is now part of UNITE the union. I joined UNISON in 1995 as soon as I joined Newham Council and became a workplace rep in 2001. I then went on to become a Union Learning Rep (ULR), Branch Education officer and Lifelong Learning Coordinator. I then became the Branch Black Members Convener and finally was voted as the vice chair to the London Regional Black members group for 2 years before joining the TUC's unionlearn department in September 2011.

In April 2015, I began my new role as Apprenticeship support officer for unionlearn after 4 years as a Union Support Officer. My main duties are "to support unions' work on learning and skills, with a particular focus on helping unions and employers in the region to drive up the quality of apprenticeships." Through my experience as an apprentice, I am well aware of the support needed to complete complex programme of learning which incorporates theoretical knowledge and practical skills with regular assessments and examinations. I also understand how beneficial mentoring can be because I had various mentors during my time as an apprentice.

My present role has seen me attend various events to support young people and apprenticeships. I recently attended the Crystal Palace FC event called "Women in Sport", organised by the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) using union learning fund (ULF) funding to showcase various professional female sports stars to inspire the next generation of young women. The event was very successful in giving young people an opportunity to gain information, advice and guidance from a range of sporting professionals.

The PFA have helped to create the backdrop to community engagement in a very diverse area. A large cohort of young women have been given the confidence to follow pathways to developing their skills. I have written some case studies to highlight the importance of sharing good news stories that show a progression, a pathway or successful career route to inspire others to follow and achieve personal success and fulfilment.

I will soon be attending the Suffolk Chamber of commerce event for Suffolk Apprenticeships where I hope to influence employers to take on more apprentices and offer them quality training with a real job upon completion. All I can say now is, without trade union learning and the opportunities that came my way, I wouldn't be where I am today.