Julia Malkin
Over the last five years, Julia Malkin has progressed from having few qualifications to becoming one of the most highly qualified driving instructors in the country, despite being diagnosed with autism and Asperger syndrome in 2008.
After experiencing extreme bullying as a child, Julia left school and had a nervous breakdown at 16. She drifted through a series of uninspiring jobs until she decided to train as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) in 2004. While doing her training, she passed eight advanced driving tests, including RoSPA Gold Grade – the highest standard of civilian driving in the UK.
She has since gained many advanced driving qualifications, the City & Guilds Award Level 3 in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector and GCSE English. Spurred on by her success, she is currently studying a variety of other qualifications, including an Open University Degree and a Diploma in Literature and Creative Writing.
“I feel that, for the first time, life has a purpose,” said Julia. “Learning is a part of life that now I can’t survive without. It’s given me a sense of purpose and a worthwhile career.”
Julia now has her own successful driving instructor business and works as a Driving Standards Agency Fleet Trainer. She is currently being inducted into the Institute of Master Tutors of Driving (MInstMTD), confirming her top instructor status.