International Coordinator, Faculty of Health Care and Education, Bournemouth & Poole College.

Shailja was born in India and came to UK at the age of 14. On leaving school she qualified as a Registered Psychiatric and General Nurse working in private practice as a Matron and Manager for 12 years. During this period she gained qualifications in assessing and Verification of National Vocational Qualifications. She was employed by Bournemouth and Poole College in 2000 where she gained her Certificate in Education as well as becoming an External Verifier for City and Guilds. On her visits to India, Shailja looked at the quality of care and training with the Health and Social care sector and following discussions with people in the medical and education field, she put forward a proposal to The College to develop IVQ’s (International Vocational Qualifications) in Health Care for the International market. The College was given approval to pilot the qualification in India. Shailja was assigned the task of setting up and gaining Centre approval for India as well as working with agents to market the curriculum. ‘Bournemouth and Poole College – India’ received Centre approval on 13th March 2008. Further qualifications were also set up in UK to allow a seamless progression for a school leaver in India to eventually reach management level in UK.