Nicola Burton and Caroline Landau from Francis Askew Primary School have recently achieved their Intermediate Level Apprenticeships, Nicola in Business and Administration and Caroline in IT Users. Nicola is the Administration and Organisational Assistant, working on the reception at the school, whilst Caroline is a Nursery Nurse working with 3-5 year olds in the Foundation Unit. Both Nicola and Caroline have been extremely committed, being the first to arrive and last to leave workshops and spending their own time doing extra work towards the NVQ. This commitment means that both have completed their Apprenticeships ahead of schedule and are now progressing onto their Advanced Level Apprenticeships.

 

Why did you decide to do an Apprenticeship?

Caroline: I missed out at school and this was a good opportunity to gain new skills and achieve qualifications.

Nicola: As it is work based I am receiving a qualification for doing the job I’m already doing so it seems a waste not to take the opportunity!

 

What is the best part of the Apprenticeship?

Caroline: I have certainly learnt al lot. My tutor is wonderful and all of the staff are so helpful and supportive.

Nicola: The Apprenticeship has shown me just how much I do on a day to day basis that I have never really noticed before.

 

What has been your biggest achievement?

Both: For both of us it has to be completing the Apprenticeship ahead of schedule and progressing to a higher level.

 

Why have you decided to progress onto your Advanced Level Apprenticeship?

Caroline: We both like the idea of gaining even higher level qualifications and you find a lot of employers looking for Level 2 and 3 NVQ’s at the moment.

Nicola: Again, it seems a waste not to take the opportunity to gain qualifications from something that I am already doing and at times like these it is good to have some security in your job and something that puts you ahead of the rest of the crowd.

 

Other than the qualifications, what else have you gained from the Apprenticeship?

Nicola: I think that doing the Apprenticeship has helped me reach my full potential.

Caroline: I have gained a lot of confidence in using IT.

 

Would you recommend Apprenticeships to others, if so why?

Both: Yes, definitely. It motivates you, gives you extra confidence in your job and is a very flexible process so fits in well with a busy working life.