Here at Comms365, we’re always eager to Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week. We have welcomed many Apprentices throughout the years, guiding them through their course and helping them learn new skills that they continue to develop at the company after completion.
We have spoken to many of them, in previous blogs, about their experiences over the years and this time we talk to our apprentices who are close to completing their Apprenticeship, as well as our newest employees.
Take a look at what they had to say about their time at Comms365 so far!
Henry
What apprenticeship course are you doing?
IT Solutions Technician.
How long have you been an apprentice for?
1 year and 4 months.
How has Comms365 supported you throughout your apprenticeship?
Comms365 has been really helpful through my apprenticeship. As the members of the NOC team had previously been apprentices, they have been able to give me great advice as they were once in my position.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your apprenticeship?
The most challenging part of my apprenticeship has been completing the written coursework. Despite this being challenging, I have been able to conquer it by getting support from my team and asking lots of questions.
What has been your favourite thing about doing the apprenticeship?
I have enjoyed having a mix of learning and working while on my apprenticeship. It has kept it interesting, rather than doing something where it’s just learning based. It has also allowed me to gain a lot of experience in a working environment.
Since we last spoke in 2021, how have you developed at Comms365?
I feel like I have developed into a confident member of the NOC team. I feel like I am able to complete tasks individually but can also work well in a team when required.
What has been the biggest thing that you have learnt from being an Apprentice?
I have learnt how to plan and manage my time a lot better while being an apprentice. This is because I had to balance my college work, work tasks and also my personal life. This has really benefited me in all aspects and has allowed me to be more productive at work.
What advice would you give to anyone who is thinking of doing an Apprenticeship?
I think an apprenticeship is a great path to go down if you are unsure on what you want to do. It allows you to learn while gaining experience in a working environment. It gives you the best of both worlds if you didn’t want to go into full time education and the same for a full-time job.
Georgia
What apprenticeship course are you doing?
Digital Marketing Apprenticeship.
How long have you been an apprentice for?
1 year and 4 months.
How has Comms365 supported you throughout your apprenticeship?
Comms365 has been a great support for me through my apprenticeship. It’s been really helpful having Eloise as my mentor as she has previously done the apprenticeship, she has been able to offer advice and guide me through it. She always attends my reviews and gives me great feedback, which often boosts my confidence when I need it.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your apprenticeship?
I would say the most challenging aspect of my apprenticeship was COVID having an impact on the way I learnt. I had all of my college lessons at home, not meeting a lot of my course mates and my tutors. It was sometimes easy to feel very separated from the college, but I always made sure I asked questions if I was unsure and I had a group chat with my course mates that was a huge help. Eloise also always allowed me to prioritise my college work, so I didn’t feel pressured to juggle both college and work.
What has been your favourite thing about doing the apprenticeship?
Learning new skills and being trusted with responsibility from the beginning. It was really nice to be treated as a member of team straight away, but I always learnt at my own pace and didn’t take on too much or too little. It’s been nice to build up my confidence and skills. Also, having the support of my course mates in our group chat. It’s been great to talk to people that are going through the same process.
Since we last spoke in 2021, how have you developed at Comms365?
I’ve definitely gained more confidence within myself. I’m a lot more independent and have my own tasks that I carry out regularly as well as still learning new things.
What has been the biggest thing that you have learnt from being an Apprentice?
I’ve enjoyed learning about email marketing, as I was really clueless about that before I started my apprenticeship, as well as learning how to navigate WordPress. I’ve also learnt how to prioritise my tasks and how to be more organised.
What advice would you give to anyone who is thinking of doing an Apprenticeship?
I would advise anyone that it is a great way to kickstart your career – no matter what your age. I was always worried I was too old to be an apprentice as I started at the age of 23, but I was always treated with respect and found out that I wasn’t alone! If I didn’t do the apprenticeship, I would be feeling very lost about what I wanted to do with my career, but this has helped me put my skills and passions into practice. I advise anyone to do it if you’re thinking about it.
Liam
What apprenticeship course are you doing?
The apprenticeship course I am doing is Level 3 IT Solutions Technician.
How long have you been doing your apprenticeship for?
I have been doing my apprenticeship since the end of May 2021, so around 7 months.
Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?
I chose to do an apprenticeship as I enjoy learning practically, rather than in a classroom setting. Additionally, an apprenticeship allows you to earn at the same time you learn. It also allows you to gain workplace experience.
How has Comms365 supported you throughout your apprenticeship?
Comms365 has supported me throughout my apprenticeship by making sure I’m up to date with my work both inside and outside of the office. Additionally, my manager, Sam, regularly attends catch up session with my tutor to discuss my progress.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your apprenticeship?
The most challenging aspect of my apprenticeship has been making sure I keep on top of both work related to Comms365 and work related to my apprenticeship learning and making sure I maintain a good balance between the two.
What has been your favourite thing about doing the apprenticeship?
My favourite thing about doing the apprenticeship would be the fact that I learn so much and seem to learn something new, as well as feeling like a valued member of the NOC Team and Comms365.
What has been the biggest thing that you have learnt from being an Apprentice?
The biggest thing I have learnt since being an apprentice is about Networking. Before I started, I held a strong interest in IT, but had very little knowledge surrounding networking. Since starting, I have started from learning the basics to building up my knowledge.
What advice would you give to anyone who is thinking of doing an Apprenticeship?
The advice I would give is to go for it! Being an apprentice is very rewarding. As previously mentioned, you can earn whilst you learn, you can practice what you learn in a real world environment and role, and you will be surrounded by industry professionals who will be there to support you along the way.
Laurence
What apprenticeship course are you doing?
Level 3 IT Solutions Technician.
How long have you been doing your apprenticeship for?
7 months.
Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?
To get my foot in the door starting an IT career path.
How has Comms365 supported you throughout your apprenticeship?
They have allowed me time to do apprenticeship work and directed me to supporting resources. They are also on hand to answer any questions I have and explain anything I don’t understand.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your apprenticeship?
Finding the balance between doing my apprenticeship work as well as my job.
What has been your favourite thing about doing the apprenticeship?
Meeting new people and the satisfaction of learning important new skills.
What has been the biggest thing that you have learnt from being an Apprentice?
How to maintain composure and professionalism when speaking to a customer.
What advice would you give to anyone who is thinking of doing an Apprenticeship?
Although it can be tough at times, it’s a great way to get started on a career path.
Click here to see one of our previous Apprenticeship Week blogs, where we spoke to our Apprentices about their experience after completion.
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