Case Studies...

Katie O’Reilly

Apprenticeship in Childcare

Katie’s plan for the future was to work with children and since starting her Apprenticeship in Childcare she is growing in confidence and passion- and now has her sights set on becoming a teacher.

Katie O’Reilly had always wanted to work with children and completing work experience at a local school made her even more certain. “I really enjoyed the week I spent there and it made me sure I wanted to work with children for a living. Since that experience, Holy Trinity Primary School support me through the Apprenticeship programme, whereby I spend 3 days at the school working with the children and 1 day per week completing my studies at College.”

Katie’s original plan was to be a teaching assistant, however her goals have developed and she can now see herself studying to become a teacher in the future.

Jordan Bulman

Apprenticeship in I.T

Jordan Bulman recognised that an apprenticeship in IT would provide him with skills and experience that employers would value…

“The IT industry is fast paced and varied, with new technologies and advancements happening constantly – that’s what I like about it. I opted to take an apprenticeship in IT as I want to be able to demonstrate to potential employers that I had experience as well as the skills and know-how. I will come up against other candidates for positions in the future, so I need to be able to stand out and I think proven experience, alongside qualifications, is really important in doing that.”

Jordan’s apprenticeship is enabling him get a taste of various elements of working in an IT department, which will help him identify the areas he enjoys:

“In the six months I’ve been an apprentice I’ve been able to get involved in different tasks, so I get a broad range of hands-on experience, which is helpful in working out the things I’m good at and the things I enjoy.”

Brendan Gynn

Apprenticeship in Automotive Engineering

By completing an apprenticeship, Brendan Gynn, 34, was able to get his skills in automotive engineering formally recognised with a national qualification.

A few years ago, Brendan couldn’t have imagined that he would be about to become an Automotive Engineering Apprentice aged 34, but with the support of his employer, All Trucks Vehicle Rental, this was not an opportunity he was about to pass up.

“It was a while since I’d completed any training - the industry and technologies advance all the time, so the apprenticeship was an ideal way to prove my competency, update existing skills and get to grips with new practices.”

“I can definitely see a future here at All trucks Vehicle Rental – and it’s been helped by completing my apprenticeship”

Chantelle Brown

Apprenticeship in Hairdressing

Passionate about becoming a hairdresser, Chantelle was confident an apprenticeship was the best route into hairdressing for her.

Chantelle had wanted to go into hairdressing since finishing school. She looked for an apprentice hairdressing position immediately because she thought working in a salon as she undertook training would be of real benefit to her. A vacancy in a local salon soon cropped up, so Chantelle wasted no time in applying and subsequently go the job! By gaining hands on experience in a working salon, Chantelle is able to practice a range of skills such as customer liaison, time management and team working skills, along with developing her technical hairdressing skills.

“I work in the salon during the week and spend each Wednesday in College completing my course work,” she says, “I’m enjoying every minute of it. I hope to be able to progress up the ladder here as I gain more experience and qualifications.”

Jess Moore

Advanced Apprenticeship in Administration

Jess wanted to gain further qualifications after she finished school, but wasn’t sure studying full time was the way she wanted to go, so she looked into Apprenticeship programmes….

“I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do when I left school - my mum had suggested training in administration and not long afterwards I saw the Apprenticeship in Administration vacancy at Lincoln College in the Lincolnshire Echo. The job specification sounded really interesting, so I applied straight away. In practice, my apprenticeship means I spend 1 day a week in lessons working to complete the formal qualification and the rest of the week is spent in the office. My days are always varied, but typical tasks I work on include handling student enquiries, updating course documents and generally providing support to the administration team. Having completed the Level 2 Apprenticeship in under 1 year, Jess is now doing the Level 3 and is due to complete by August 2012. “Taking this apprenticeship was definitely the right choice for me! I have a job, which I am getting paid for, and gaining qualifications and experience at the same time.”

Gordon Gillespie

Highlighting that a former apprentice can be found at every level of an organisation is Lincoln College’s Vice Principal Gordon Gillespie, whose apprenticeship experience saw him develop a wealth of valuable skills.

With an interest in engines and cars, Gordon opted to undertake an Apprenticeship in Merseyside Airways Engineering. Here he would complete his six year indentured apprenticeship, earning a wage, whilst setting his dream of becoming a race car driver in motion!

“My reason for becoming an Apprentice Mechanical Engineer was two fold. Firstly, it was out of financial necessity to help the family - training whilst earning a wage provided the ideal solution. Secondly, I wanted to become a race car driver and figured I needed to know about engineering to make it. My career took a different course, but I did race class A sports cars for a while.”

“After my Apprenticeship I became a foreman, before moving onto becoming a loss-adjuster the Commercial Underwriter for Royal Insurance. I then moved into the education sector and became a lecturer in Engineering.”

“Along with trade skills and knowledge about materials and properties, engineering and my apprenticeship gave me certain life skills: a desire to understand how things work, solving problems, innovations, experimentation and design, an eye for detail, being multi skilled which have all been valuable throughout my career.”

In support of National Apprenticeship week last year, Gordon went ‘back to the floor’ as an apprentice at Eminox Ltd!

Paul Barron CBE

From apprentice to CEO of National Air traffic Services

“Completing an apprenticeship in engineering provided me with a strong foundation on which I was able to develop and shape a successful career for myself. As an apprentice I developed specialist trade skills, a strong sense of discipline, technical knowledge, attention to detail and professionalism. All of which have proven invaluable throughout my working life.”
The previous Chief Executive of the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), Paul Barron CBE started his career at Lincoln College of Technology as an engineering apprentice.  First tied to Ruston and Hornsby as an apprentice fitter, he quickly progressed to be a Technician Apprentice.
Upon completion of his HNC, Paul embarked on a varied and illustrious career with substantive roles including:

• Managing Director of Ruston Gas Turbines
• Director of GEC Rolls-Royce
• UK President of ALSTOM UK
• CEO of National Air Traffic Services

Paul now applies his knowledge and experience of business transformation through consultancy assignments with his wife Dawn in their consultancy company Human Alchemy.

Emily Eccleston

From apprentice to Dental Nurse

Emily, 18, completed her Apprenticeship in June 2011 and is now working as a qualified Dental Nurse at a local practice in Gainsborough.

“I read about the role of a dental nurse on the internet and decided I liked the sound of it. Careers information stated that I needed a formal qualification to work as a dental nurse, which could be gained whilst working in a practice as a trainee. So, I set about looking for local trainee positions -when I got the job with Genesis I was delighted!

Genesis supported me through the Apprenticeship programme, releasing me to go to college every other Wednesday where I prepared for the exams and worked towards completing my portfolio. Tutors also came to the practice to observe me and keep in touch with my Manager about my progress.

“Throughout my apprenticeship I felt like I was constantly learning and the hands-on nature of it kept me engaged, whilst providing the experience and qualifications I needed for a career as a dental nurse.”

Emily was awarded Dental Nursing Apprentice of the Year at the Lincoln College Annual Awards Ceremony in 2011

Samantha Kemp

Apprentice to Director of Trinity Accounts

“In today’s climate, ‘earning whilst you learn’ is important, particularly given the competitive jobs market and the costs that can be associated with studying – I am definitely an advocate for work-based learning and I’m positive it was the best option for me.”
Former accounting apprentice, Samantha Kemp is in the process of setting up her own accountancy firm, Trinity Accountants, with a colleague. Prior to this, she worked in a management position, specialising in start up and growing businesses, at Streets Chartered Accountants – the company that supported her through her training.
Samantha left school at 16 with good grades and then went straight into working for Streets Chartered Accountants. Whilst working for Streets Samantha undertook the AAT qualifications from level 1 though to level 3, taking three years to complete. When Samantha completed her qualifications she was able to progress onto the chartered status within two years.
“My apprenticeship gave me the skills to carry out my job - I was able to apply the theory I was learning at college directly to my job role and being supported by my employer throughout the programme proved invaluable.”

Now, aged 25, Samantha is applying her skills and experience to a new challenge – setting  up her own business!

Sam Owen

Restaurant owner and head chef, the Gate Inn, Clarborough.

“Highlights of my apprenticeship? Making future friends. I’ve had the pleasure of working with since, industry insight, learning the fundamentals that would set me up for future roles and getting a really good head start!”

Sam, 23, is a talented, experienced and respected individual in the catering and hospitality industry. He started out as a catering apprentice in 2004 and now boasts an impressive professional history including working for several Michelin starred establishments (the Winteringham Fields to name but one!). Sam eventually returned to Lincoln where he worked as a sous chef before climbing the ranks to Head Chef with the building of the Green Room restaurant. Following the success, Sam was promoted the role of Executive Chef – overseeing the entire catering side of the hotel. Now, as Manager and Head Chef at the Gate Inn, Clarborough, Sam is excited about the future: “the restaurant has been open for 8 months and, already, the future is looking bright!”

Sam is confident he made the right choice by undertaking an apprenticeship:
“I could have opted to do a full time course, but I wanted to get experience and quickly, which is where the apprenticeship was great -I got my qualifications and a real grasp of kitchen life!”

Daniel Taylor

Sales Manager, Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery

A four year apprenticeship with leading global engineering organisation, Siemens, marked the start of a vibrant and exciting career with the company for Sales Manager, Daniel Taylor.

“I have had the opportunity to travel all over the world through my work, and I believe that many of my fundamental skills can be traced back to a wide and diverse initial entry into the company.”

In the 12 years since completing his apprenticeship in the drawing office, Daniel has progressed into other areas of the company. Initially working as a Draughtsman, Daniel progressed through the engineer ranks becoming a Principal Design Engineer before becoming a Global Packager Support Engineer in 2009. Today, he holds the position of Sales Manager and remains positive about his apprenticeship experience:

During was fantastic, you were being paid to train, surrounded by a group of similar people, and supported fully by the company. The apprenticeship is however just the start, and seeing all parts of the business allows you to decide where it is that you think you want to work. All through this the company matches your own commitment, with additional training and opportunities.

What made Daniel take up an apprenticeship?

“I wanted to work, rather than go onto higher education; however I still wanted to train. The Apprenticeship was just the start, the company matches the commitment of its employees with additional training and opportunities – After I completed my apprenticeship, I started a part time degree course sponsored by Siemens, which took another 5 years of day release. Then after that I completed an IMechE Matching Section which then gave me the necessary qualifications to apply for Chartered Engineer Status.”