WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE
ARE ALL APPRENTICESHIPS OFFERING SKILLS FOR LIFE ?
This year ’ s National Apprenticeship Week 2023 ( Monday 6th – Sunday 12th February ) has adopted the theme of ‘ Skills for Life ’. At The Business Exchange we take pride in celebrating the new talent emerging across the region . So , to mark National Apprenticeship Week , we have spoken to local apprentices and apprentice employers about their experiences .
Sylvannah Winstone JMW CARPENTRY & BUILDERS
Sylvannah Winstone ( 23 ), who lives in Swindon , is an apprentice with JMW Carpentry & Builders Ltd of Calne . She is working towards a Level 2 carpentry and joinery qualification . Prior to starting her apprenticeship , she was on an athletics scholarship in the USA and had just graduated with a degree in business administration .
“ I chose an apprenticeship because I wanted to gain practical skills and I have a passion for the built environment . It ’ s amazing ! I feel like I learn something new every day and it ’ s been a real challenge which is great because it ’ s had a really positive effect on my confidence .
“ My advice for anyone else thinking of doing an apprenticeship - do your best to research and find a company with a good reputation within your community and one that is really invested in developing its apprentices like JMW . I feel very lucky to have this opportunity .”
Josh Lamb JOHN WILLIAMS HEATING SERVICES
Josh Lamb ( 21 ) is just six months away from finishing his Level 3 Gas Engineering apprenticeship with Chippenham-based John Williams Heating Services . John and Debbie Williams have long recruited enthusiastic apprentices with John starting out as an apprentice himself .
“ I knew at school I wanted to do something ‘ hands-on ’ but I didn ’ t know what . I went to college in Chippenham and Trowbridge and then , when a friend recommended John Williams Heating Services , I submitted my CV .
“ That was three years ago and it ’ s been brilliant . Working here has taught me the discipline of working , and how important it is to have a strong work ethic and to complete work to an excellent standard . I ’ ve got about six months to go before I ’ m fully qualified and I ’ m very grateful . “ John and Debbie always go the extra mile .
It ’ s not just about on-the-job training and qualifications , it ’ s also about the way they care for us all . We have social events and there ’ s such a family feel to the company . I know that not all apprentices are lucky enough to have that experience .”
Euan Anthony Gannon & Natalie King-Barnard
GREEN MACHINE COMPUTERS
Euan Anthony Gannon ( 17 ) is an apprentice with Green Machine Computers , an IT recycling company based near Marlborough . Before becoming an apprentice , Euan was at school and had a part-time job . Now he ’ s taking a Level 3 apprenticeship in Information Communications .
“ I wanted to do an apprenticeship with Green Machine because I did my work experience there in 2021 and discussed the potential of an apprenticeship when I finished school . I really enjoy the work ethos and I prefer the workplace to the classroom .
“ I ’ m enjoying the learning side as well as the job side . I am really pleased to have got an apprenticeship and feel it will help me out in my future .”
Another Green Machine apprentice is Natalie King-Barnard who is 29 years old . Natalie was working in retail as a store manager before making the decision to take an apprenticeship in digital marketing .
“ I wanted to earn money whilst learning new skills relative to my degree . I also wanted to move into a career that would nurture my educational and professional skill set . I have now almost completed my apprenticeship and am into the end stage of my assessment . It was also wonderful to be a finalist for apprentice of the year . As well as securing a full-time position , I have been promoted within the company !”
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