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Career Heroes - Beth Cassidy

Job title

ICT Tutor

Employer

21 Training

Tell us more about you

My name is Beth Cassidy, I’m from Strabane, and I currently work as an ICT Tutor with 21 Training.

I really love my job but outside of work I enjoy spending time with friends and spending time at the beach. I’m also currently finishing my degree with the Open University whilst working full time.

What kind of work do you do?

As an ICT Tutor, my responsibilities on a daily basis are to deliver the Essential Skills ICT qualification as well as the Vocational ICT qualification to trainees. I also create my own resources, complete reviews for trainees, and monitor their progress through their qualifications.

I’m responsible for supporting trainees in developing skills for the working world and to help them obtain an IT-based work placement as part of their qualification.

I work in an office environment delivering lessons to trainees, completing any admin work that needs done, and discussing plans with other tutors for trainees that may be struggling. In the office, we work as part of a team to deliver the best support for the trainees.

Top 5 Skills & Attributes Needed for your job

Accountable

Communicator

Flexible & Adaptable

Planner

Team Player

How did you become a ICT Tutor?

I completed my GCSEs and A Levels at Holy Cross College in Strabane. When choosing my A Levels, I knew I always wanted to teach but was unsure of the pathway I was going to go down. I chose to do Applied ICT, Health and Social Care, and R.E. in case I wanted to go straight into a teaching degree but wanted the opportunity of completing ICT in case I wanted to go a different route.

I then completed my HND in Computing at Belfast Metropolitan College and decided that I would do the PGCE route for teaching. I saw an opening for an ICT Tutor in 21 Training and decided to apply for that while I finish my degree with the Open University.

What you do enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy working with the trainees and seeing them get excited about progressing in their studies. It’s also great to see them achieve something, like getting their first work placement. I like that I’m helping young school leavers achieve their qualifications and helping them develop their skills for the working world. It opens up different pathways for them to obtain education and employment, especially for young people who feel that staying on at school is not the best choice for them.

If you could do-over, What would you do differently?

I don’t think I would do anything differently as I’m happy with the progress I’ve made and the job I currently hold.

What advice would you give someone starting out on their career jouney today?

The advice I would give to someone starting out on their career journey would be to take your time and do some research about the job you want to go in to and make sure it’s a good fit for you.