National Apprenticeship Week 2020 - dispelling the apprentice myth
A common misconception about apprenticeships is that they’re reserved for people starting out in their careers. So, as part of our blog series for National Apprenticeship Week 2020, we’re going to convince you that apprenticeships really are for all.
The real truth is, you can undertake an apprenticeship at any age, and at any stage in your career. There’s always opportunity to continue to learn and develop. Take Oliver Smith for example. Oliver currently works as Centre Manager at Colchester Garrison where there are currently more than 25 Sodexo apprentices on site. Here, not only does Oliver manage a number of these apprentices, but he’s currently undertaking an apprenticeship himself.
“Juggling my day-to-day responsibilities and projects along with my apprenticeship has been challenging, but ultimately, I’m getting a lot out of it through my personal development,” says Oliver.
Completing an apprenticeship while in a managerial position could be overwhelming, but with the right support, Oliver is living proof that working while learning is possible.
“My line manager supported me by allowing me to attend training sessions and giving me the freedom to complete my course work during my working week,” explains Oliver.
With strong support from above in place for Oliver as he continues his professional development, he’s able to return the favour for the apprentices under his management, too.
“I enjoy playing a part in my team’s personal and professional development,” Oliver says. And he believes his proudest achievement to be on-boarding so many of his team onto apprenticeships.
Ana-Maria Serban is just one of those team members that Oliver has onboarded and describes him as being “always available, supportive and very helpful”.
Completing her Safety, Health & Environment Technician apprenticeship at Colchester Garrison is Daisy Osborne. She may not have Oliver for a manager, but her experience is one that is commonly voiced across the site.
“I found becoming an apprentice very easy,” says Daisy. “I’ve been made to feel comfortable asking questions or for any help. Contacting the assessors and the company is easy and my online assessment portfolio makes uploading work and seeing my progress very simple.”
And, like Ana-Maria, Daisy has found the support from her manager to be an important part of her experience. “Fortnightly one-to-one sessions are provided. I’m regularly asked if there’s anything the team can help me with to ensure that I can work on my apprenticeship.”
Supervisor Michaela Pegram is currently undertaking her Level 4 Outlet Manager apprenticeship and can empathise with those unsure of going down the apprenticeship path further into their career.
“I was very nervous about starting my apprentice as I’d been out of education along time,” explains Michaela. “I also lacked confidence when it came to my ability to progress."
Now I’ve started my apprentice, my confidence has grown, and I find myself taking on challenges I never had the confidence to do before.
Oliver is just one example from Sodexo of a manager who’s taking on their own apprenticeship challenge while supporting others on their journey. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed – in fact, Oliver was nominated at the 2019 Spirit of Sodexo Awards for the ‘Nurturing Talent’ award.
It really is never too late to develop your career with an apprenticeship. So why not start the next chapter of your story, by finding out more about opportunities with Sodexo? Click here to register your interest and discover everything you need to know
Discover more about Oliver's apprenticeship experience in the video below:
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