ClarkeWood Consulting decided to once again get involved with the scheme and recruited two new superb apprentices.
Ben Proctor –Sales, and Lauren Henley – Business Management and Administration.
ClarkeWood are strong advocates for companies becoming involved with apprenticeship schemes as well as encouraging young people to really consider their options and what an apprenticeship could mean for them.
With this is mind we have asked Lauren to interview Ben at the start of his journey, 3 months in as he settles and then again on completion of his 6 month, in the hope of gaining a real insight into what it’s like to be an apprentice.
To start off our series of apprentice blogs, we’d like to introduce you to Ben and Lauren by giving you an insight into what lead them to an apprenticeship and how they are initially finding it.
Lauren: In January, my year was planned and I knew exactly what I would be doing. Or so I thought. What is your background, and what were you doing 1 year ago?
Ben: I was just finishing my first year of studying Chemistry at the University of Glamorgan in Wales. During my time at university I worked part-time for a Students events company in Cardiff.
Lauren: A friend had just begun an Apprenticeship. I knew nothing about apprenticeships and wouldn’t have considered one. She loved it, and encouraged me to sign up. Did you have an opinion of Apprenticeships before you decided on one?
Ben: I had quite a good opinion actually. A few of my friends from high school had gone on to do apprenticeships and were really enjoying it; as well as earning good salaries!
Lauren: Being in full time education you seem to get filtered through School > College > University; feeling although it is the best and only option. How does learning on the job compare to being in full-time education and has it, so far, had a different impact on you?
Ben: Being in a working environment gives you more of a reason to get up each morning. Every Uni student can think of a time where they just really didn’t want to get up, be it for an 8:30 start or for the last lecture on a Friday!
Lauren: Now I’m starting to get into my apprenticeship, I’ve learnt that education isn’t always the answer. What is the most valuable thing you’ve learnt so far?
Ben: To be confident! If you are confident, people will believe in you and trust you. If you aren’t confident then it makes everything so much more difficult.
Lauren: My original plan was start a degree in Fashion Design. What are your goals for the future and how do you think your Apprenticeship has influenced that?
Ben: I’d love to get into the senior side of things, including management of my own team and patch... Time will tell how that works out!
Lauren: Finally, we both had similar situations which lead to us choosing an apprenticeship. What kind of person would you recommend an apprenticeship too?
Ben: I’d really recommend them to anyone who hasn’t completed a university course, or is looking for a complete change in career. There are so many different courses available, so there will be one suited for them.
Now that you’ve had an introduction to our new recruits we will follow them up in three months time to see how they are getting on.
During our interviews with both Lauren and Ben we hope to give you a firsthand insight into their experiences allowing you to access a viewpoint otherwise unavailable.
We hope to highlight how beneficial the apprenticeships schemes can be for companies of any size as well as rewarding and encourage you too to consider becoming involved!
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