It’s Never Too Late to Learn for Welsh Woman of the Year Finalist Sharon Green
A Merthyr woman who transformed her life during an eight year career break to provide a brighter future for her children is in the running for a prestigious award.
We have nominated our very own Primary Account Manager Sharon Green for the ‘Most Effective Returner to the Workplace’ prize in the Western Mail’s Welsh Woman of the Year competition.
Single mum Sharon took her career break in order to look after her then young children. She knew she would eventually return to the workplace and used her time away to gain both a degree and HND in business and management.
Sharon worked part time as an administration assistant at Cyfartha High School whilst pursuing her studies. There she became the school’s UNISON union representative and attended various professional training courses to support her work which led to the creation of a more accurate system of managing timetables.
Sharon, who is mum to Amy, 15, and Molly, 10, said: “I’d like to think that my decision to give up full time work for family reasons and to retrain will motivate other women to consider doing the same. You can only watch your children grow up once but you can prove yourself in the workplace at any time.
“I feel that the decision to give up work when I did and to take on new challenges, namely my part time job and degree, was one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made. Having had some time out to spend with my children and to retrain has made my return to work a joy. I am better educated, have more energy and am able to deal competently and professionally with the many challenges I face on a daily basis.”
Sharon joined Cardiff-based New Directions Education as an account manager in April 2006. Her job involves her traveling to various schools in south Wales to understand more about what they are looking for in supply staff. Sharon’s knowledge and expertise that she acquired during her degree studies has resulted in her areas of business increasing from two to five in just 18 months.
We will all find out if Sharon has won at a glittering awards ceremony at the Cardiff International Arena on Friday, November 23.