Ex-Apprentices - Where are they now?

Brady Toddington, Past Level 2 and 3 Apprentice at LB Ealing

The training opportunities offered to me on the apprenticeship at Ealing were amazing. I was allowed to experience a number of different training courses both administrative based and job specific. I was also allowed to attend a residential course in York, which helped me get a greater understanding and knowledge of my area of work.

The NVQ work was a great way of getting to grips with the theoretical aspect of administrative work. My assessor was an amazing help to me throughout the NVQ, as well injecting a fun aspect into the learning. Learning to integrate myself into Ealing Council’s working environment was also enjoyable. From the start of the apprenticeship my aim was to gain as much knowledge as possible while trying to make a good impression of myself within Ealing Council.

As well as this I worked with colleagues who have supported me in gaining my new job role and these people are now friends – both in working terms and socially for life. As I was in Ealing Council’s 1^st band of Apprentices the Human Resources and Payroll issues occurred on a regular basis but this seems to have been sorted now.

In August 2007 I received my AS Level results at a C, D and E Level grade and these were not enough for me to continue at my current school. I was in a confused state at what to do so I applied to re-start my A-Levels at a college. I went there for 3 months starting in September but my heart was not in it after the disappointment of not being allowed to continue my A Levels the year before. So I decided to leave my college and got a couple of temporary jobs over the Christmas period. My mum saw an advertisement in a local magazine for apprenticeships and informed me of this. I decided to apply for a position. I then went to the interview and got through this and received my job offer.

During the job role I gained an NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 in Business Administration. After I completed my Level 3 I began job hunting. I sent off 10 applications – 5 internally and 5 external private sector companies. I was short listed for 6 of these job role and I put this down to the help from my work colleagues at Ealing and my NVQ assessor.

I then received a job offer from my current role, Leaving Care Administrator at LB Ealing, and accepted this. I am still in regular contact with a number of the apprentices and work colleagues and we catch up on a regular basis.

Mainstream education isn’t for everyone, and Apprenticeships should be seen as a viable alternative to college and university. It is the chance to build your work character and gain a career pathway, but that will only happen if you apply yourself thoroughly throughout. Councils should ensure they have the correct balance of Administrative work and creative work for the Apprentice as this will allow them to have more enjoyment in their work.

Shaun Chatton – Past Level 2 and 3 Apprentice at LB Bexley

Before applying to be an apprentice I was a football coach and then suffered a bad injury while playing football.  As I was so focused on coaching I didn’t know what I was going to do; I didn’t have many good GCSEs. I attended an e2e course and while I was on the course I was given a second chance by being encouraged to apply for an apprenticeship at Bexley Council. 

Within a week I attended an interview with Bexley Governor Services; that same day I was offered a place on an apprenticeship.

The first few months were challenging due to the amount of work that had to be completed within the required timeline.   The work consisted of photocopying, filing, writing letters, sending out agendas and taking telephone calls.  I found the work challenging which I enjoyed as I knew it would help me in the future.

When I had finished the NVQ Level 2 I was given an opportunity to study towards an NVQ Level 3, I took the opportunity and was given new job roles to enhance my skills within Governance.  Some of the new jobs I took on included managing a database, looking after procurement and invoices, being responsible for the website and co-ordinating governor training.

During my NVQ Level 3 I was offered a full time post within the Council and am now clerking the CYPS Health and Safety Committee for the Council and taking on new roles.  I’m also a supervisor to two apprentices within my department, one doing a NVQ Level 3 and the other doing NVQ level 2, I am also a mentor to two Level 2 apprentices which consists of being there for them during the course to guide them through work and the qualifications. 

As a manager of apprentices now, I can see the benefits from the other side.  It’s a really good incentive for companies to train young people in the areas that they know they will need skills in.  Apprentices are willing to work and learn at the same time; which benefits both parties.  Appointing an apprentice provides administrative cover and helps them get young people into the work environment.  

Linda Jane French – Past Level 2 and 3 Apprentice at LB Bexley

 I was 16 in my last year of School and still could not decide what I wanted to do when I left.  I came across the Bexley Apprenticeship Scheme, which sounded really interesting and appealing to me.  This really appealed to me, as to be honest I did not enjoy school, and being in a working environment I enjoyed being treated and respected like an adult, and of course earning money. 

The apprenticeship scheme taught me that hard work does not go unseen, I learnt how to be respectful, gain peoples trust and showed people that I can be responsible.   The apprenticeship scheme gave me a lot back, I built up my confidence, gained new and improved skills, made new friends and gained 2 qualifications.  

I now work for the International Recruitment Office for the London College of Fashion and my role now is Registrar for International Students.  I love my new job and I would not have got where I am today if it weren’t for the Apprenticeship Scheme.

Zahid Miah, Past Level 2 Apprentice at LB Camden

Zahid joined Camden in October 2007, working in the Corporate HR Direct team as an Inside Track Apprentice. Here he quickly made a name for himself as being highly motivated to succeed and being supportive to all his team members. Within his first 3 months Zahid had finished his NVQ in Business and Administration, and was looking for more. His manager was able to get him involved in a number of projects, supporting some of the HR Specialist teams. This allowed Zahid to get a wide exposure to the different work areas in Human Resources.

Towards the end of his apprenticeship Zahid received support through the Inside Track programme in applying for HR and Administration jobs in the council and with external employers. As a result, after he successfully completed his apprenticeship in October 2008, he started a working for a charitable organisation in the role of HR Advisor before returning to the Council in early 2009 as Recruitment Systems Advisor.

Zahid’s Feedback

My biggest challenge involved learning the Oracle system, software that Camden HR uses for recruitment purposes. As well as learning the functionality of the system, I had to learn the organisational procedures and rules around recruitment. I believe I have now gained extensive knowledge and understanding of how the system works.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of being an apprentice is the fact that you get a hands-on-approach on different tasks and get to learn whilst doing the job. Team leaders are very supportive and aware of the importance of the development.

Gary Parkyn – Past Level 2 Apprentice at LB Bexley

During my time with Bexley Clerkship Practice I learnt many new skills and the skills I gained were really helpful for people seeking employment in an office based environment.   I made many friends whilst working for the Council and had very good working relationships with those based in my office.  The skills gained from this employment I later took with me when I started my job in the Head Office of supermarket Lidl.   Without these skills it would of proven very difficult to undertake my current work load and could of possibly meant I would not of got my job. So, I'm very grateful for the training I was given. All the apprentices at Bexley were really helpful when I was uncertain of what I was doing and everyone in the office was always willing to lend a helping hand. I am still good friends with apprentices from my cohort at Bexley and see them often.

I believe apprenticeship schemes are very good for young people seeking education in a working environment.

Katisha Donaldson, Past Level 2 Apprentice at Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Katisha joined the Council three years ago as a ‘Headstart’ apprentice in the finance department and has since secured a permanent role within the Council as an Administrative Assistant. She said:

“The main thing I liked about the scheme was the fact that I got a qualification while working. My mentor was really helpful in guiding me through my NVQ coursework and showing me how it linked into my job. Office apprenticeships aren’t that common and I really enjoyed being treated like an adult and also obtaining valuable life skills outside the classroom. I believe the Council really values its staff – not just in terms of good pay and benefits, but also the many opportunities to attend training courses which help aid your career progression.”