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Apprenticeship Case Study

Layla Williams

During my last year at college I was completely unsure of what path I wanted to take. I'd heard that it was around 50/50 for those who went to university and those who didn't, but felt like everyone else was going so it was something I needed to do. I agonised over the decision until almost the last minute for applications but even though I didn't know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life I knew at that time university wasn't what I wanted.

Layla Williams - Case study

Contrary to popular belief not going to university does not mean the end of your job prospects. I had regular meetings with my college tutor and she suggested an apprenticeship to earn some money and continue training while I decided what I wanted to do and that the Council would be a good place to start.

I applied for two admin apprenticeships and was offered the second post in Adult Social Services which I started in October 2009. What followed was the best experience I could have hoped for. I was the first apprentice Social Services had had and therefore I was responsible for setting up many processes and systems and was given a lot of responsibilities.

I trained with some of the most experienced and knowledgeable administrators who alongside my manager/mentor supported me to complete my NVQ Level 2 Business Administration and I was awarded Student of the Year in that category by TCAT.

At the end of my apprenticeship I was successful in applying for a full time permanent administrator post with the same team and got to put all I had learned into practice. With many staff leaving the team over the next couple of years I became the most experienced member of the team and was involved in the training of our newer members of staff which was extremely rewarding. Last year, to continue my training, I was also given the opportunity to study for my Level 3 Business Administration NVQ which I recently completed.

After four years of working in the team I wanted to continue to learn and find a way to help others so decided it was time for a new challenge. I successfully applied for a Senior Work Programme Administrator post in the Transformation Team and started my two year secondment in October 2013. I supervise a Team Administrator and we work closely together with multiple teams and Service Delivery Managers supporting a variety of projects.

Without the opportunity presented by the Council to train for an apprenticeship I don’t know what I would be doing now but I know that I am a better person for the support and experiences I have had through working and training with the Council.