In our Learner Talk series, we interview graduates of our IEP Learning Academy programs about their experience of the course(s) and how it feeds into their work as employability professionals.
This week we are excited to share the success story of Mark Power MAIEP, an Employment Advisor working for Palladium on the Restart Scheme, who won not one but two prestigious IEP Learning Awards at Basecamp 2024.
Mark said he was “immensely proud, shocked and quite frankly overwhelmed” to win both the Member of the Year (sponsored by Ingeus) and Learning Ally of the Year (sponsored by Belina Consulting) awards.
Mark worked in retail management and as a baker before shifting gears into employability, which has proved to be a fulfilling career pathway driven by continuous learning, growth and huge enthusiasm for his role.
Mark’s journey with the IEP began with the completion of the Level 2 Award in Employability Essentials, a learning program from the IEP that is required by his company. However, this only increased his appetite for more learning and development opportunities.
“As I was getting towards the end of the first course, I started to think more broadly about what else I could learn, in addition, to enhance my knowledge,” he reflected. He swiftly enrolled on the more extensive Level 3 qualification, an experience that proved to be transformational for him.
Thanks to the support and encouragement of his IEP Learning Academy Tutors, Emma Williams MAIEP and Tracy Jory MIEP, Mark realised his potential and broadened his learning horizons. He took on additional IEP Learning Academy programs, including Over-50s Employability Support, Understanding Neurodiversity, and Mental Health In Employability. His dedication even extended to funding himself for the first-ever AI for Employability program, in which he achieved the Gold Award.
The AI course particularly proved eye-opening. Like many, Mark had initial reservations about AI but soon realised that his apprehensions stemmed from a lack of understanding.
“I thought to myself, ‘You’re only wary of it because you don’t understand it’, so I decided that it would be much more beneficial for me to use it to my advantage rather than avoid it,” Mark said.
“I funded the AI program myself, and I was the only employee in my company to enrol. But I am really glad that I did. The way James McKenna MIEP presented the course made it enjoyable and we all felt more like a team rather than individuals.”
Embracing the technology, Mark now uses AI daily in his role to better serve his participants. “It was not only fascinating,” he said, “I actually use it daily to help my participants better.”
Mark encourages others to pursue the IEP Award in AI for Employability. “If you get the chance, do it! AI is the future, so embrace it and use it to your advantage to provide a better service.”
For Mark, the impact of his IEP learning journey is evident in his work. He attributes his ability to help participants navigate their journey back into work or improve their lives to the skills and confidence gained from these courses. “When one of my participants leaves their appointment, I know that I have helped them in some way on their journey back into work or just life in general… that comes from having the correct training and being confident in what I need to say and do.”
Reflecting on his learning journey, Mark credits much of his growth to the unwavering enthusiasm and support from his Tutors. Their belief in him fuelled his passion to continue learning and improving. The post-course support provided by the IEP has also been invaluable, he said, giving him the confidence to share his knowledge with colleagues and contribute positively to his workplace.
Are you ready to embark on your own journey to success? Check out the IEP Award in AI and our other programs from our award-winning IEP Learning Academy.
