Success Story
Samima Akter enrolled on the ESOL programme at New City College to improve her English.
Later, after redundancy and with two young boys at home, she went back to the college and signed up for our Entry Level 3 in Essential Digital Skills.
One course led to another, and over two years on she is studying Level 3 Data Analysis.
New City College
Samima Akter, 27, from Poplar, London, studying at New City College
Entry Level 3 in Essential Digital Skills
Redundancy, two young boys at home, and a father who needed help with his business accounts and tax returns
Going back to the college and signing up for Entry Level 3 in Essential Digital Skills
One course led to another, over two years on she is studying Level 3 Data Analysis
I didn't think I'd get this far. But once you start, you can't stop. There's always something new in IT, always something new to learn.Samima Akter, Learner, New City College
Born in Bangladesh, Samima moved to Italy when she was 18 months old. She spent her childhood living between Bangladesh and Italy, soaking up both cultures and both languages. But, aged 19, she and her parents made the move to live in the UK, and that’s where her London adventure began.
Starting out, Samima knew she needed to get better at English. So, she enrolled in the ESOL programme at New City College (NCC London).
As her confidence grew, so did her opportunities. She married and secured a role at Marks and Spencer, where her potential quickly became apparent and led to a promotion to Team Leader. In the role, she was responsible for tasks requiring digital skills, including managing inventory and processing returns to manufacturers. Then the COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected change.
The economic impact that followed eventually led to the closure of the Liverpool Street branch where she worked, leaving her redundant. With two young sons at home, Samima focused on family life, but she felt something was missing.
Samima Akter, Learner, New City CollegeMy husband could tell I was getting a bit bored. He suggested I go back to college, do something for myself.
But it wasn’t just about her. Her dad is a self-employed taxi driver and he needed help with his business accounts and tax returns.
Samima Akter, Learner, New City CollegeI realised I needed to brush up on my digital skills, because I really wanted to help him out.
Samima returned to New City College and enrolled on the Gateway Qualifications Entry Level 3 Essential Digital Skills course. One course soon led to another and, before long, two years had passed. At the time of writing, she is studying Level 3 Data Analysis, continuing to build skills that have transformed both her confidence and career prospects.
Alongside her studies, college introduced Samima to a diverse new community of learners from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds. She says she now has “a bag full of friends”, including doctors, pharmacists and people from all over the world, all learning together and supporting one another.
The digital skills she has gained have had an impact beyond the classroom. At home, she has become the family’s go-to source of technical support, helping her eldest son with his Chromebook and other school-related technology. Inspired by her growing confidence, Samima also began volunteering at his school and completed a Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification. Her son is particularly proud of her achievements and often tells his friends that his mum knows everything.
Samima is studying Level 3 Data Analysis. She has also completed a Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification and started volunteering at her eldest son’s school.
The skills reached home too. Samima helped her son with his Chromebook, which sparked her interest in supporting children in education and led to her volunteering at his school and completing the Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification. Her son is proud of her achievements and tells his friends, “My mum knows everything!” — something Samima describes as “the sweetest thing”.
College also changed her social circle. She has made friends from all over the world, including doctors and pharmacists, and values the opportunity to learn alongside people from different backgrounds and experiences.
For Samima, the importance of digital skills is simple:
Samima Akter, Learner, New City CollegeYou just can't get by without digital skills. Whether you're in retail, education, or just managing day-to-day life, everything's online. The NHS, banking, even paying bills. Digital is everywhere.
Samima returned to college to help her father with his business accounts. Starting at Entry Level 3 in Essential Digital Skills, she has progressed to Level 3 over two years. Her journey shows where curiosity, determination and a willingness to embrace new opportunities can lead. And this is only the beginning.
The same potential exists for learners from all backgrounds, in all kinds of settings.
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