Apprenticeship works for Kathryn‘I used to work as a receptionist for a firm that no one ever visited – or called. I had to answer the calls, but there weren’t any and the days just dragged by. It was mind-numbing. I had to get out of there…’
And so Kathryn Churchill, buoyed by an overwhelming desire to have a job with a pulse and an opportunity to learn new work skills – eagerly accepted our administration position when we offered it to her this year.
Although restricted in her skill base by her previous employer, Kathryn showed incredible initiative, interest and enthusiasm and seeing her willingness to get involved, we have to admit we threw everything at her. Kathryn hit the ground running and rose to every challenge we set her. We were impressed and realised that she was indeed a ‘keeper’, so we asked Kathryn if she would like to become an apprentice and study a Diploma in Business and Administration.
Finding the right people for our team is of huge importance to us. We are really such a tight-knit team and we need people who can fit in and work alongside us. Once we know that we have the right person and can see where their talents lie, we set about developing them to achieve through our apprenticeship scheme. We can’t see a better way of doing it really.
Through an apprenticeship, staff feel valued, supported and committed to the team and by equipping them with the right skills, they are empowered and motivated – and that’s not just what the training videos say! We know it's fact because we have done it before!
For instance, when Cherene Burton joined us at 17 with dreams of becoming a gymnast, we saw her skills in admin and attention to detail and put her on an apprenticeship. Now in her late twenties, Cherene is our Shipping Coordinator. Then there was Natasha who joined us at the age of 21 having previously worked as a barmaid and she is still with us as our Ops Manager, thanks to her apprenticeship.
So what of our lovely Kathryn? What made her want to do our apprenticeship?
‘I came out of school with a few skills and was not sure what to expect from life. This apprenticeship is a-dream-come-true. I have the opportunity to further myself and can start planning for my future. I am so thrilled!‘
Kathryn got engaged to her partner Matthew in October, last year and has yet to set a date for their wedding.
There you have it – from being ‘bored to tears’ Kathryn is now ‘learning lots and doing all sorts’. She also says that she ‘goes home smiling and looks forward to coming to work in the morning’ – and it’s all thanks to her apprenticeship.
‘I would definitely recommend it to people who didn’t shine at school. It’s so much easier to learn a role when you are actually doing it!’
Nice one Kathryn! We love having you on board.
