Skills for Life – National Apprenticeship Week, 6-12 February

Completing an apprenticeship may not be considered by some as a conventional educational route, however there are many benefits to an apprenticeship and they are growing in popularity.

Apprentices have the chance to earn money while being educated and gaining skills within their desired field of work. They also gain recognised qualifications from completing apprenticeship courses, all the way up to a Level 7 which is the equivalent to a master’s degree. The majority of apprentices in the UK are given permanent contracts by their employers upon completion of their course.

Blake Morgan has been offering apprenticeships for over ten years, and many of their apprentices have gone on to progress to senior positions within the firm.

For National Apprenticeship Week, some of Blake Morgan’s current apprentices have shared why they chose to take this career route.

Olivia Wythes started her apprenticeship at Eastleigh College in September 2022. Olivia commented:

“Working in an office was a new environment for me, having worked in retail previously, and I like the structure and routine of working in a large firm like Blake Morgan. The team have really supported me while I am learning the ways in which we can support our people. I look forward to learning more personal and professional skills for life.”

Olivia’s top tip for anyone considering an apprenticeship is:

Emily Shaw joined Blake Morgan’s HR team as an apprentice in 2021 and has just gained a Distinction for Business Administration level 3. Emily said:

“I was attracted to the idea of an apprenticeship as it meant that I could start to build my future in an area of work that really interests me. My apprenticeship at Blake Morgan has allowed me to explore my interest and gain real-world experience in business at an earlier stage, which will be beneficial to my future. Now that I’m approaching my final exams, I am pleased that I made the decision to gain an apprenticeship in Business Administration. It has not only given me commercial awareness, but I feel part of a great team.”

Emily’s top tip for apprentices is:

Emily’s skill for life that she has learned during her apprenticeship is: “Communication and team work – without these skills you won’t be able to learn and grow.”

Olivia and Emily both work in the HR Operations team which is led by Jo Burnham. Jo enjoys supporting apprentices in the early stages of their careers. She commented:

“Although more attention needs to be given to apprentices at first, they soon pick up our procedures and become reliable, enthusiastic members of the team. It is very rewarding to see them develop their professionalism and I look forward to seeing them grow their career with Blake Morgan.”

For more information on apprenticeships visit www.apprenticeships.gov.uk You can find out more about careers at Blake Morgan, including apprenticeships, here.