Hear the stories of our apprentices

Caitlin is currently working as a Junior Content Producer Level 3 apprentice. She started at NCC on a Kickstart Scheme and continued onto an apprenticeship

What have you got out of the apprenticeship (so far)?

I have gained a lot of new skills when it comes to producing content for our intended audience, from the different types of software available to me down to building self-confidence in my strengths and abilities. The apprenticeship has shown me so many new skills which will stick with me and help me in years to come.

What skills and experience have you gained as part of this apprenticeship?

Throughout my apprenticeship so far, I have visit several different teams and services that we work side by side with which has allowed me to see how different “content producers” work and the importance of the job role.

How do you believe this apprenticeship will affect your future career?

The Junior Content Producer apprenticeship will help me to discover myself as a content producer as well as open so many new doors, as the course has so many different possibilities there is a lot of room for exploration.

What is your favourite thing about your apprenticeship?

My favourite thing about my apprenticeship is that I have joined the best team and I feel like I have such a strong support system with colleagues who are willing to help me solve any problem or sit with me until I have come to the conclusion myself.

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?

Before finding the apprenticeship I never considered this type of work for myself as it seemed so different to my previous jobs, but it has taught me so many new skills and opened up a whole new side of myself which I absolutely love. If given the chance to go for an apprenticeship, I say go for it!

Jade is currently working as a Graduate Trainee working towards a Level 5 - ILM and Operations/Departmental Manager qualification. 

What have you got out of the apprenticeship (so far)?

My apprenticeship is a dual training programme, so this means I engage in both theoretical and practical study alongside my current position. The ILM aspect covers the academic approaches to Leadership and Management. Whereas the Operations/Departmental Manager is an apprenticeship standard, where I’m required to create a portfolio demonstrating competencies (key skills and behaviours) within this field. Both require me to reflect upon my professional practice.

During my undergraduate studies I did not have a degree placement. Therefore, outside of studying, I obtained voluntary positions to gain practical work experience.  From now doing my apprenticeship, I prefer that practical conservation is naturally embedded into my work-life balance. Our organisation understands the demands of our apprenticeship and the training provider understands the demands of our day-job. Therefore, they work together to ensure placements support our development needs and that we have study time during work hours. This high-support and high-demand culture allows trainees’ to learn and gain real-life experience, all whilst in a paid position.

What skills and experience have you gained as part of this apprenticeship?

Each of my placements have been very different (Public Health – Covid Response, Assurance Group – Internal Audit, Human Resource and Workforce Organisational Development – Skills and Employment), and this has given me a vast experience in Local Government management. My skillset is constantly widening by the opportunities I have e.g., working at a strategic level, with all levels of seniority and in/external stakeholders, being mentored by senior colleagues, managing people and projects myself. Placement managers are well-versed in our qualification requirements and therefore, ensure our workloads are meaningful. Overall, I found that my day-to-day job and apprenticeship standards complement one another, as it requires me to evidence and reflect upon my professional practise.

How do you believe this apprenticeship will affect your future career?

My studies are widely recognised qualifications and promote continuous professional development. The greatest way I feel my apprenticeship has shaped my future career; is the resilience it instils. Continuous learning and having to perform to a high level in both a work and study capacity can be difficult; especially when there are deadlines for both around the same time. Though despite it’s challenges, I’ve proven I can balance both priorities. This has made me a more agile worker, who ‘thinks big’ and has a ‘can do’ attitude. Now, I am more confident of my capabilities and throughout my career, I hope to remain resilient, and continually uptake opportunities to progress through the corporate ladder.

What is your favourite thing about your apprenticeship?

My favourite thing about my apprenticeship is that each person has a bespoke learning journey. There is flexibility with our placements to support our ever-developing acumens. We have an array of mentors, opportunities to work cross-council, and with external partners. Graduate Trainees’ gain real-life management experience, taking ownership and accountability for their decisions; but within a coached environment. All facilitators of the programme understand the demands and pressures of studying while working. They also support our personal needs and career aspirations. Inevitably, our placement experience is individualistic, but the apprenticeship standards ensure each of us reach our fullest academic potential.  

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?

In my opinion apprenticeships maximise gaining real-life experience within a chosen field. It’s a great way of learning because the syllabus and assessments are designed to develop both theoretical and practical skills. In turn, I feel it is a better representation of working culture, it’s pressures and demands. You also develop resilience from having to balance studying and working, which is an invaluable attribute as many employers will encourage continuous professional development.  My advice would be, to not underestimate the level of work and effort required but know longevity, the benefits massively outweigh this.

Sophie is currently working towards her Data Analyst Level 4 apprenticeship and has previously completed Business Administrator Level 3 with the council.

What have you got out of the apprenticeship (so far)?

I’m still in the early stages of my apprenticeship right now, but even so I’ve already used some of the learning from my course in my day-to-day work. Every session I’ve had with my assessor has given me valuable skills and knowledge to apply to ongoing work and projects and has benefitted not just me but also my team.

What skills and experience have you gained as part of this apprenticeship?

So far, I’ve been able to apply some more technical data analysis skills I’ve been taught to my day-to-day work and the knowledge has also been beneficial to my understanding of the field. My assessor has also been working with me on presenting information, which was an area I identified as something I’d like to improve on at the beginning of the course. This has also been useful both professionally and personally.

How do you believe this apprenticeship will affect your future career?

Gaining a qualification in data analysis will definitely be a boost to my CV, but the skills and knowledge I’m gaining from the course are a benefit on their own. I’m already learning things that are helping me with my ongoing work and as the whole course is laid out from the beginning I can see where it will line up with future projects and opportunities.

What is your favourite thing about your apprenticeship?

I love how it’s all laid out for you from the beginning yet it is still flexible – you’re given all the skills and knowledge you need to evidence throughout, and it’s all flexible, so can match up with whatever work you’re doing as you’re doing it. Unlike lots of other qualifications, I don’t have to wait until Week 12 to start working on a certain skill if it fits into my work now, and if I need to hold off on working on a certain skill until it becomes more relevant, I can.

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?

My advice would be to make sure you can dedicate some time and space in your week to the course and if you can, just do it! I honestly think apprenticeships are one of the best ways to access learning at work, particularly if you’re looking for something that covers the breadth of knowledge, skills and experience in your field but is flexible enough to fit alongside your existing work.

Grace is currently working on a Recruitment Resourcer Level 2 apprenticeship.

What have you got out of the apprenticeship (so far)?

I started my apprenticeship straight out of sixth form. I chose to do an apprenticeship as I wanted a more hands on route as appose to a university course. An apprenticeship gives me the opportunity to earn while I learn. I have been able to learn new things and different ways of working all while being supported through this experience by my co-workers who have been amazing and made this whole experience so comfortable for me in my first job.

What skills and experience have you gained as part of this apprenticeship?

So far from my apprenticeship I have transferable skills that can be applied for all jobs like communication skills, teamwork, relationship building and attention to detail/problem solving. Not only that but I have a better understanding of how the local authority and how it works.

How do you believe your apprenticeship will affect your future career?

At this moment, I am undecided on my future career path, however when applying for this apprenticeship found an interest in it and while working through it this interest has deepened, my current plan is to get my qualification for my level two and move onto my level three and go from there. I would like to stay In Nottinghamshire County council to do this.

What is your favourite thing about your apprenticeship?

My favourite thing about my apprenticeship is that I can help others gain/improve their knowledge on new area to further their career. Going through the process of looking at the range of apprenticeships also then extends my knowledge of the apprenticeship and work experience.

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?

My advice for someone thinking about doing an apprenticeship would be to do you research on what you are looking into, get an idea of if you think you would be interested and then just apply. Not only will the application be a good learning experience, if you get shortlisted and go to interview you get even more experience and can then gain a qualification along with valuable contacts, relationships and transferable skills that can help further a career even if you find you are not as interested as you thought.

Emma recently completed an Operations or Departmental Manager Level 5 apprenticeship.

What did you get out of the apprenticeship?

I completed my apprenticeship in December 2022 so have now gained a level 5 qualification in leadership and management. Whist completing the apprenticeship I got a really good feel for the different functions of the Council and got to work on some really exciting and challenging pieces of work. As well as developing my knowledge, skills and experience, I have made some valuable working relationships and I am now working in my dream career path in Public Health.

What was your favourite thing about your apprenticeship?

It was the opportunity to get involved in lots of different projects and workstreams and to challenge myself in a supportive environment. This included being able to work with senior managers and councillors across the organisation who shared their knowledge and experiences with me, so I learned a lot from them. I was also started my apprenticeship at the same time as others doing the same qualification, and the network I built with my peers has been really lovely.

How do you believe your apprenticeship will affect your future career?

I now feel that I have much more knowledge and confidence to be an effective manager in the future as I now understand the underpinning theories relating to motivating people, managing conflict, coaching and mentoring. I have gained transferable skills that I can use in future job interviews, as well as having a widely recognised qualification to back this up.

What skills and experience have you gained as part of this apprenticeship?

As well as learning about managing teams, I have also learned about project management, managing change and improvement, and have been involved in the recruitment process for other apprentices. I’ve also improved other transferable skills such as time management, communication, negotiating and chairing meetings which are important for many different job roles. Completing the apprenticeship alongside working for the Council has given me some real-life examples of using these skills in my future career.

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?

Go for it! I didn’t realise that I could access an apprenticeship as I had already been to university and had worked for a few years after that, but I am so pleased that I could and that I took the plunge and applied. The opportunity to complete a qualification whilst getting to put the learning into practice at the same time has been invaluable and I honestly believe that my apprenticeship was a huge part of me getting onto my dream career path!