Changing careers, changing lives
Unlocking potential
As industries change and technology advances, adult education plays a key role in re-skilling and upskilling the UK workforce. Indeed, adult education is vital for the health of the nation’s economy, whether that is an individual looking to progress in their current role, or if they want to explore a completely new career path.
However, for adult learners looking to return to education and skills, it can seem a daunting prospect. Through our college partnerships, I get to meet learners who have taken the leap of committing to study a new professional qualification and the challenges they face are numerous.
Their individual stories start whilst they are searching for work, putting their kids to bed, or at a desk late at night. For many of them their decision to return to education begins with the need to enact change for themselves, their financial security, and their family.
Learners need to believe that investing in new skills for themselves will ultimately be worth it, which is why it was great to speak with Ben Hodgson, who recently completed his AAT Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 studies with Mindful Education and Harlow College.
Ben is a great example of the transformative impact of lifelong learning, after returning to college in his thirties to embark on a completely new career.
Ben's story
Ben worked for many years in warehousing at a supermarket depot in Harlow, Essex, but with three young children, shift work often came between him and family life. After missing his son being awarded ‘man of the match’ at his Sunday morning football game, Ben decided to leave the warehouse and took a temporary role fixing phones at MTR Group, as he reconsidered his career path.
“I had my kids young and fell into a role in warehousing. I was working on a Sunday, my son got man of the match and I just broke down - I was missing so much. So I decided it was time for a career change.”
Deciding to pursue accountancy, Ben embarked on a co-funded AAT Level 2 course with Harlow College and Mindful Education.
MTR Group soon recognised Ben’s potential and offered him a full-time position as an accounts assistant. After receiving a distinction in his Level 2 course, MTR Group told Ben they would cover the costs for his future AAT level 3 and level 4 qualifications.
Ben has since achieved full MAAT status, and successive promotions at the firm over 3 years have seen him rise to the role of Commercial Finance Manager, reporting directly to the Head of Finance for the £50m turnover company.
He is also instrumental in nurturing new accounting talent: he now manages two accounts assistants who are currently studying AAT qualifications, and his eldest son – the former man of the match – is now working as an accounting apprentice!
In further recognition of his journey and achievements, Ben was one of four shortlisted – out of hundreds of entries – for ‘Newly Qualified Student of the Year’ at the PQ Awards 2025.
You can hear more from Ben in this short video (watch time: less than 3 minutes)
Overcoming challenges with blended learning
Blended learning is an educational delivery model which gives students the opportunity to study flexibly, through a combination of online study and regular in-person lessons. This means that learners can study around work, caring and other commitments.
Blended learning can be beneficial for learners, as it reduces the time and costs commitments associated with traditional face-to-face delivery, while retaining quality time with tutors and classmates.
Ben is a shining example of the power of adult education – showing that with the right support, the barriers of time, work and family pressures can be overcome.
In Ben’s case, blended learning delivered locally at Harlow College was key, enabling him to study alongside his commitments at home while growing his career.
“Blended learning allows people to learn at their own pace, in their own time, and to access materials when it’s most convenient for them. With high-quality resources and access to professionals who understand the curriculum, employers enjoy the link with a local college, giving them that personalised, professional, local approach.”
At Mindful Education, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to achieve new qualifications. That a busy family or work life, learning differences or a previous lack of opportunity, shouldn’t be a barrier to accessing a high-quality, empowering education.
That’s why we created our flexible courses and apprenticeships, perfectly packaged in a blended learning format we call Online and On Campus. Covering a range of professional qualifications, accredited by nationally recognised bodies and associations, including AAT, CMI, ILM, CIPD and City & Guilds.
Thousands of learners study a Mindful Education course every year and achievement rates on our courses are outstanding – 80% of learners who complete their qualification achieve a Merit or Distinction. Combine the benefits of online learning with being part of a class that meets regularly with an expert tutor at college and you’ve got the best of both worlds.
Explore our website to find out more about our blended learning courses.
Taking the first step
Investing in adult education provides businesses with the home-grown talent they need to fill skills gaps, encourage social mobility and boost the UK economy – but adult learners need to have the confidence to take the leap.
Ben is a great example of someone who took that first step and success followed from it. Not only has he completely changed his career, he has been able to make changes to his work-life balance as well, be that spending more quality time at home (or watching Spurs, thanks to his new season ticket!), or inspiring his son to embark on his own accounting journey.
Ben told me he wanted to encourage more adult learners to have the confidence to invest in themselves, and with flexible study options available, they are able to fit their studies into their existing work and life commitments:
“The main thing I wanted to drive home to everybody is how accessible it is - I could just fit it around me. No one in my family was an accountant, it’s just something that wasn’t on the table, but thanks to Mindful Education, thanks to Harlow College, I’ve got the tools to do what I want to do. It’s changed my life – I feel like I’ve won the lottery.”
Mark has overall responsibility for the company, and works closely with teams across the business, ensuring that we deliver high-quality, flexible and valued courses to partners, learners and employers.