A Nottingham dad who featured on a TV show about benefits is encouraging people to take up apprenticeships to help improve their lives.
Ashley Shand of St Ann’s featured on the Channel 4 show ‘Benefits Britain:1949’, which looked at the benefits system in 2013 versus that in 1949.
Aged 19 at the time, he was trying to pursue his passion for music, but had found himself having to rely on benefits and living in various hostels
Now 26, Ashley has a young daughter and is building a career at Nottingham City Council, after completing apprenticeship qualifications at the council with Nottingham College.
He said: “I had always had these goals, but I didn’t have the right path. I’ve always had big ambitions, but although I got good GCSEs and tried courses at various colleges, I couldn’t find a job or course to suit me.
"I’d left home at 16 and ended up in different hostels, and I wanted to learn but I needed to earn some money.”
In the TV show Ashley had tried a taster day for an apprenticeship in construction.
He realised that the combination of employment and study could work for him and it would still leave him scope to pursue music alongside his job.
Ashley said: “I got an interview for a business administration apprenticeship at Nottingham City Council through Nottingham College. I knew that I wanted to educate myself, but I also needed money. With an apprenticeship you can earn and learn, so it was the best thing really.
"Basically getting this apprenticeship has been me building the path to where I want to go.
“With the apprenticeships I got to work on a lot of cultural and historic events such as LGBT History Month and Black History Month. I also got to work with senior managers in the council.
"The apprenticeship then lead me to a promotion with the council, so I got a job as Human Resources coordinator.”
Ashley is sharing his story to help encourage other people to think about using an apprenticeship to build a career.
He said: “I’m really pleased that I’ve done the apprenticeship. It completely changed my life and gave me a huge amount of experience and qualifications. I’m now living with my partner and my daughter Sienna, who’s just turning two.
"So it’s kind of like me being a role model for her, and it’s given me experience that I can pass on to her. Maybe she’ll be doing an apprenticeship in the future.”
Councillor Neghat Khan, portfolio holder for early years, education and employment, at Nottingham City Council said: “We are committed to equality and constantly strive to have an inclusive workforce that represents the diverse citizens we serve.
"We are looking for apprentices who will commit to our organisation, are able to demonstrate a great work ethic and want to develop and enhance their skills.
"Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to get yourself on the career ladder and earn while you learn.”
Maxine Blake, head of industries at Nottingham College, added: “Ashley’s story is really inspiring, as it shows how apprenticeships not only offer experience and qualifications, but also the opportunity to grow and develop along the way.”
