An apprenticeship is a real job, with hands-on experience, a salary and the chance to train while you work. You’re treated just like all the other employees, with a contract of employment and holiday leave. Sonya, from our Birmingham office recently completed her apprenticeship at TH March and describes her experiences.
I wanted to become an apprentice because I wanted to go into a different sector, and I had realised that my skills and knowledge were limited. I knew that becoming an apprentice would open the door to many opportunities and would bring out more skills within me.
I knew I wanted to work full time rather than go to college or university, so an apprenticeship was ideal for me. I loved that fact that I was able to learn and do my course while working and putting those teachings into practice every day.
As I had range of responsibilities, my day was never the same. I would start by daily tasks such as filing and dealing with entries in the diary system and then throughout the day, I was given different tasks and training to go along side with it.
As my role is office based, the pandemic has changed my experience massively. I have had to adjust and adapt to the times which meant working from home. It was a challenge as everything I needed e.g., files and office equipment were located in the office, but I learnt how to complete tasks from home. I also completed my apprenticeship while being in the pandemic so that was a great achievement for me.
There are a number of things that I enjoy my role, one of them being that I am always learning new things. There is always room for more knowledge and development, this is very motivating for me as TH March encourage progression within roles. My team are very helpful, and we get along very well, the positive environment contributes to a smoothly running work force and I am able to go to my colleagues when I face problems or when I need some input on something.
I would advise people who are considering the apprentice route to just simply…go for it! It can be scary getting out of your comfort zone but by doing so, you will see the benefits as you go along and will be more confident in different things. I think apprenticeships are an incredible opportunity, it really will kick start your career. Be sure to organise your time efficiently between working for the company and your apprenticeship work, as sometimes deadlines will be challenging. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you are unsure, if you need help with anything or if you prefer to be taught something a different way.