Serving the Teesside Business Community | 49
Apprentices Erin Cowling and Beth Hutt with Middlesbrough Community
Learning’s apprenticeship and work skills coordinator Ann White (second
right), apprenticeship training advisor Kay Court (second left) and
Martyn O’Riordan, senior locality administrator for Barnardo’s.
Learning programme working
wonders for employers
A
n innovative apprenticeship scheme
is helping to give Teessiders the
skills they need to succeed in the
world of work.
Just ask Erin Cowling and Beth Hutt,
whose career prospects look bright
thanks to the invaluable training offered
by Middlesbrough Council via the
Middlesbrough Community Learning (MCL)
Apprenticeship Programme.
Apprenticeships provide the opportunity
to work for a real employer, earn a salary and
gain a recognised qualification, whilst gaining
and developing valuable workplace skills and
experience.
Erin, 23, has worked for the children’s
charity, Barnardo’s, for five years, while
18-year-old Beth is still undergoing her
apprenticeship.
Erin, from Ingleby Barwick, said: “I started
with Barnardo’s via my apprenticeship at 18,
I completed my Level 2 Diploma and was
given the opportunity to progress onto the
Level 3, both of which I achieved.
“I was then off ered a full-time position
with Barnardo’s as a business administrator
and have been here for just over five years.
“I strongly recommend an apprenticeship,
especially via MCL. It has helped me realise
where I might want my career to go in the
future.”
Beth, from Middlesbrough, also
successfully applied for an apprenticeship
with MCL.
She said: “I didn’t really know a lot about
By Andy Passant
apprenticeships but after discussing career
opportunities with my learning advisor, I was
successful in gaining an apprenticeship with
Barnardo’s.
“I have achieved my Level 2 apprenticeship
and I am moving onto Level 3. This has really
helped me to develop my confidence.”
Barnardo’s SECOS Middlesbrough works
with children and young people who have
been victims of child sexual exploitation or
abuse; it takes maturity and sensitivity to
work in such an environment.
Martyn O’Riordan, senior locality
administrator from Barnardo’s, said: “Working
with MCL has been invaluable.
“The apprenticeship programme has
worked for us as an organisation, and both
Erin and Beth have excelled. We have not
only benefited from their enthusiasm but
they bring new skills and ideas to the team.
“Our main work is with vulnerable young
people who are at risk of exploitation or
victims of exploitation or abuse. It is like
a healing process. We give them coping
strategies to work with.
“We do one-to-one engagements, group
work and residential activities, confidence
building and self-esteem. It is showing that
there are people who won’t let them down
because in some shape or form they have
been.
“Part of the journey is trying to gain
their trust and showing them the value of
themselves. A lot of the young people that
come in have lost hope. That is what we give
them back.”
Ann White, apprenticeship and work
skills coordinator for MCL, added:
“Apprenticeships are a good opportunity
for potential employers to see what each
individual’s work is like, see if that young
person fits into that environment and give
them employability skills.
“Thanks to their training, Erin and Beth
have been given marvellous opportunities
and a wide variety of experience to take
into the future. We really need good local
employers like Barnardo’s. Apprenticeships
give young people the opportunity to work
in their local area and gain sustainable
employment.
“As part of Middlesbrough Council, we
have an inclusive and flexible approach to
local business and the needs of the public.
Our connections within the council allow us
to offer advice to businesses on a number
of issues and we can signpost to other
services.
“We have recently been visiting local
businesses to offer advice on the changes
to apprenticeships, the apprenticeship levy,
introduction of new apprenticeship standards
and the opportunities for staff development.”
For more details about the
apprenticeships and Middlesbrough
Community Learning, contact Ann
White on 01642 729678 or email
[email protected]. Or Kevin
Sedgwick on 01642 654553 or email
[email protected]