Tara Moynihan NHS apprentice

Tara has completed her apprenticeship with the NHS and has now stayed with them full time to do her level 4 in Project Management.

Name: Tara Moynihan

Age: 21

What is your apprenticeship in?

 I started doing the Level 3 Business and Administration

Apprenticeship when I started in the Trust. Since finishing in August, I have enrolled onto the Level 4 Project Management  Apprenticeship with Chichester College.

What made you want to become an Apprentice?

At school, going to university was only ever the known option. I got into University to do Sociology at Roehampton, but it wasn’t a subject I was passionate about. I felt like for the amount of debt it is to go to University I couldn’t study a subject I was half hearted about. I decided that I would go into full time work instead, that’s when I found out about Apprenticeships. I believe that doing an Apprenticeship is the perfect stepping stone from full time education to Work. It was also the perfect option for me as I did not want to full opt out of education.

How has your experience been as an Apprentice?

Apprenticeships have always been affiliated with as a derogatory term, in that they only make cups of teas etc. My experience was not like this in the slightest, I have been given the same responsibilities as any other member of staff doing a similar job. I believe that being an Apprentice in such a supportive environment has led me to improve myself both professionally and personally.  I have had the opportunities to do presentations, visit schools and colleges, attend conferences. 

What have you learned/ gained from being an Apprentice?

By being an Apprentice I have been promoted within the Trust to Work Experience Co-ordinator, where I am re-structuring the Work Experience programme for the entire Trust.

Within my first year of being an Apprentice, I have done presentations in front of over 100 people, organised events; lead on different schemes within the hospital, set up social media accounts for our department to promote our activities and a lot more.  This has given me an all-round experience, adding and enhancing my skill set.

What would you say to other young people about taking the Apprenticeship route?

Doing an Apprenticeship is a very valuable opportunity. There are over 170 different frameworks, so if you are interested in a particular field there will most likely be the right Apprenticeship for you.  You will get real, hands on experience and earn a wage all whilst completing a qualification. Going to university is not the only way you can get a degree, you can do Apprenticeships at degree level.

Sean Farmer Electrical Apprentice

Name: Sean Farmer

 

 

Age: 29

 

 

What apprenticeship are you studying? 

Level 3 in Electrical Installation

 

Former holiday rep Sean Farmer says he’s landed his dream job now he’s begun an electrical apprenticeship with Clarkson Evans. The 29-year-old had a number of jobs, from sales to painting and decorating, before switching to the electrical industry last year.

Sean completed his Level 3 in electrical installation at Central Sussex College and was working as an electrician’s mate before a friend recommended he apply for an apprenticeship at Clarkson Evans.

 

“I’ve tried my hand at a number of roles and picked up a lot of transferrable skills along the way. Until I became an apprentice electrician I never felt like I’d found a career that I could see myself fdoing for the long term,” said Sean, a former student at Thomas Bennett Community College in Crawley.

 

“I don’t regret the jobs I’ve done in the past. In fact I think they’ve helped to make me a better electrician. I’ve fine-tuned my communication skills, which helps when liaising with other trades on site, and I understand the importance of teamwork.

 

“Having spent part of my early career working in Crete I now love working back in my home town of Crawley.

 

“It’s great to be “on the tools” with such a large electrical contractor – everything is there for you and the structures are in place to help you succeed.

“I’ve got a very supportive team leader who remembers what it was like to be an apprentice himself and I only have to raise my hand if I need help and he’s there by my side. He is always giving me feedback on how I can improve, in a constructive way, and I feel much more confident in my electrical skills.

 

“When I first joined the company I couldn’t believe the speed at which everybody worked but after a few months on site I’m not far behind.

 

“When I qualify I want to become a team leader myself and use the management skills that I’ve acquired from previous roles to help the next generation of apprentices,” said Sean.

 

 

 Did you know?

 

100 years ago an apprentice could be summoned to court for being ‘idle’ or having a ‘bad attitude’

Who are we?

Inspire. Motivate. Support.

The Apprentice Ambassador Network (The AAN) is an association of practicing and qualified apprentices who aim to spread the word about the fantastic benefits that apprenticeships have to offer to young people, parents, schools and businesses.

Bethan Woolmer - Apprentice Ambassador

Name: Bethan Woolmer

Age: 18

What apprenticeship are you studying? 
Digital Marketing Level 3 at West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

Why did you choose the Apprenticeship route? 

It was coming to the end of Year 13 at sixth form and I knew that university wasn’t for me, as I don’t really know what I want to do with my life! So I liked the idea of working and learning at the same time, which is why I decided to look for apprenticeships, specialising in media or digital marketing. My career’s advisor said that I should look for apprenticeships, which I began to do so before my final exams ended. I believe that gaining experience in the work place is very important as well as being able to learn at the same time, which is why I wanted to become an apprentice. I also wanted to do something different, instead of just going to university like everybody else and I have always preferred being in a work place. 

Amy Aston - Apprentice Ambassador

Name: Amy Aston 

Age: 21

What apprenticeship are you studying? 
HR Higher Apprentice, Human Resource Management Level 5 Diploma.

Why did you choose the Apprenticeship route? 
I wanted to gain more qualifications but was not keen on going to university. Being an apprentice means
gaining a qualification and experience, and having somewhere to apply what you are learning at college. It seemed like a good way to learn due to employers wanting experience as well as knowledge.

Georgia Hickland - Apprentice Ambassador

Name: Georgia Hickland 

Age: 19

What apprenticeship are you studying? 
Business admin L3

Why did you choose the Apprenticeship route? 

Previous Experience of L2 Apprenticeship (started when I was 17)

How has your experience been as an apprentice? 

Great, really enjoying it