I’d not got the A-level grades I wanted for university so took a job in a shop before starting to look for a more permanent post. I came across apprenticeships at a careers fair when I met a training provider, and after a few interviews joined the institute. My interviewer, now chief executive, was very passionate about the role and pretty much sold it to me. It sounded like a good place to work.
I took my level 2 and 3 apprenticeships in business administration and now I’m getting wide experience, a salary and a no-cost degree as part of a Chartered Managers Degree (level 6) apprenticeship. The degree part takes three years and then I take a final assessment to gain my apprenticeship certificate.
I enjoy studying with the OU; the way they deliver the degree makes it easy to understand what is required and through the weekly planners it helps me to manage my time and workload. I’m really fortunate in the sense that my line manager offers me opportunities to put what I learn into practice. When opportunities occur and I ask to be considered, the manager will talk me through the logistics of it, making sure it’s appropriate – and that’s really handy.
The job is full of opportunities. The institute is bringing all our previously outsourced training in-house to create an academy, which I’ve been asked to help develop from scratch to meet industry professional development needs.
I’m also helping develop a facilities management degree apprenticeship for the whole industry, and am coordinating our learner achievement ceremony – a “graduation” event for facilities management professionals who have undertaken the institute’s own professional qualifications.
I work my study time (20% of my working week) around my job and ask for time off when needed. I have already attended three face-to-face workshops. I take part in evening online tutorials, and talk to tutors and other students via the OU’s ChatBox system. My tutor also visits me at work once a month.
In terms of soft skills, human resources was one of the first modules I took, and I’ve found motivational theory really interesting – it’s already helping me when delegating project work. The key skills any apprenticeship should teach you are how to communicate, manage your time, complete a task and possibly delegate.
To find out more about OU degree apprenticeships, visit open.ac.uk/business/apprenticeships
