Sajee Gunarathna, from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, enrolled on a course after caring for her father in Sri Lanka.
She said: “My father was my role model in my life. He encouraged us to go towards our dreams.
“He would be very proud of me.”
Ms Gunarathna cared for her father until his death in 2020.
The experience led her to pursue work as a carer when she returned to the UK.
After completing a six-week programme at the College of West Anglia, Ms Gunarathna was promoted to the role of senior carer.
“Working in care has many rewarding moments,” she said. “One of the best parts is building strong relationships with the people you support.
“By making their day a little easier you can make them smile.”
Ms Gunarathna said the college staff offered clinical training but also communication and careers guidance.
Encouraging family carers to think about making a career in the profession is one of the aims of the Apollo programme.