It was back in late 2013 that Sarjo Kuyateh, an Operational Support Grade (OSG) Officer made a visit to the POA Learning Centre in Nottingham to discuss his future career development. His dream was to achieve a Degree Qualification and POA Learning are helping him towards his goal.

The initial meeting saw Sarjo meet Nicky Volley, Centre Manager and Owen Johnson, Learner Support, who went through the options to think about where he wanted to be and the route that could be taken.

The plan was soon developed and with Nicky and Owen a course of study and how Sarjo could undertake the courses at the same time as juggling family, work and personal commitments was set.

Sarjo said:

Although I was happy in the Prison Service as an OSG, this was through an agency and I knew I wanted to go further. With the support of the centre at Nottingham, I was able to successfully complete the application form and gain funding to start an Aviation and Tourism Course.

The team at POA Learning enabled me to get to grips with the challenges of the study and also help me to develop my ICT skills and knowledge to cope with the coursework and presentation demands."

It wasn’t all plain sailing though, and due to challenges within his family, Sarjo was unable to complete the course and had to leave the Prison Service for a time.

Sarjo continues:

The team at POA Learning were there to support me through this tough period and assist me with returning to the Prison Service."

He returned firstly as before, an OSG role via an agency. But thanks to the support of POA Learning, managed to gain full time employment as an OSG.

Sarjo added:

The icing on the cake for me was when the applications were released for the role of Prison Officer, once again Nicky, aided by Alan Cook, Learner Support, were there to assist me and develop myself to achieve the selection process and I am now currently undertaking my Prison Officer Training."

Sarjo is now delighted to be in the service full time and is relishing his role as Prison Officer, something that without the help of POA Learning may not have been achievable.

Without the help, support and patience of POA Learning, there is no doubt I would not be where I am today. They have been key to me achieving what I have."

Alan Cook, Learner Support, who has been helping Sarjo added:

Nicky and I at Nottingham are proud of Sarjo’s and all our learners development and achievements year after year.

Being there to help them realise their potential & ambitions is what makes the job special."