JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018 - 132

J+C PROMOTION

Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships have attracted a lot
of attention in the past few years.
Following the government's pledge
to create three million new starts by
2020, they have shed their negative
stereotype and are fast becoming
the number-one option for people
looking for career progression. But do
they really work? Here, we speak to
two former apprentices who studied
and now work full-time at North
Warwickshire and South Leicestershire
College, a leading provider of
apprenticeships in the Midlands.

Julie Szmidt,
administration assistant
I joined the
college in 2011
following 25
years in the
airline industry.
It was time to
look for a job
that would allow
me to have a
better work/
life balance.
I saw an
opportunity
advertised for
a business and
administration
apprenticeship
at the college
but wondered
if at 48 I was
too old. But my
application was
successful and
within 12
months, I'd
achieved a level
2 qualification. I

progressed into
a permanent
role with the
business
development
team. I'm now
working as a
curriculum
administrator.
My experience
at the college
has been so
positive - I've
been supported
and have a new
confidence in
my abilities. It
has proven I can
do whatever I
set my mind to.

Amit Mistry
assessor and trainer (fork-lift truck)
I started as an apprentice
at the college in 2011 in
lift truck maintenance
and repair level 2. While
studying, I worked with
experienced maintenance
engineer lecturers and
assessors, and gained
vocational competence
in a variety of different

related equipment.
Since finishing a level
3 apprenticeship,
I have worked
as a workshop
supervisor and
now as a trainer
and assessor.
I've also had the
opportunity to take part

in various events such
as open evenings,
recruitment
activity and
even working
on an electric
buggy project
in Germany.
These were a real
confidence boost.


http://www.nwhc.ac.uk/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018

http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/jcspring2018
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/JobsandCareersAutumn2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2017
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/Careers/Careers_with_Hayley_Taylor_2011
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com