Visitors from Haringey Council tour Green Skills Academy and discuss ways to address challenges facing prospective Green sector professionals.
Capital City College (CCC) welcomed visitors from Haringey Council to the Green Skills Academy. On 28 January, a group of 16 Haringey Council staff members from a range of departments including the Employability and Social Value teams, visited the Green Skills Academy to learn more about how the academy operates and what it offers.
During the event, visitors were able to take a tour of the Green Skills Academy’s Green Labs, home to state-of-the-art renewable facilities designed to support students in gaining essential green skills. The equipment enables students to acquire hands-on experience working with elements such as air source heat pumps, solar thermal, solar PV, battery and electric vehicle charging, which complements their theoretical learning.
The tour was followed by a presentation by Mishary Alfahad, Head of the Green Skills Academy, who discussed the Green Academy’s key milestones in engaging with employers, learners from underrepresented groups and local job centres.
The attendees also learned about the range of industry-based Green Skills Academy courses, which currently include:
The highlight of the event was a panel discussion which showcased a range of ideas for addressing key challenges and brought about a number of interesting conversations. The enthusiasm of representatives from both the Green Skills Academy and Haringey Council brought to light a shared enthusiasm for the academy’s work.
Mishary Alfahad, Head of the Green Academy, said: “There were so many intriguing questions from the panel which led to some really interesting conversations and the sharing of valuable ideas. What stood out to me was the enthusiasm of the team at Haringey Council and their willingness to support the mission and the goals of the Green Skills Academy.”
TheGreen Skills Academy has successfully supported 671 Londoners in employment, work placements, and apprenticeships and has engaged with over 120 employers to create valuable opportunities for students. With 89% of students coming from underrepresented groups, the Green Skills Academy remains committed to inclusivity and diversity as it continues to support Londoners in employment within Green industries.
Music and Music Production students learn about the world of Music and Sync and Supervision with global advertising agency BBH.
Musicstudents from Capital City College (CCC) took part in a Music Sync and Supervision workshop with award-winning advertising agencyBartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) to learn more about music in advertising. BBH is a global creative agency that specialises in increasing brand value and has delivered highly successful campaigns for clients such as Tesco, Burger King, Samsung, Audi and Levi’s.
During the workshop, Daniel Olaifa spoke to the students about his route into the advertising industry and gave insight into his role as Music Supervisor at BBH. While working at the agency, Daniel has contributed to a number of high-profile campaigns for brands such as Experian, Ribena, Burger King, and Tesco. Daniel also shared best practices in advertising relating to music supervision and music sync before talking to students about how to write music for adverts. In addition to working at BBH, Daniel is a professional musician and was able to talk about his experience of touring with acclaimed artist Biig Piig.
Daniel then set the students a project brief based on real-world client briefs and challenged them to create music for a specific advert. The students will work on the brief as part of their course and deliver their proposed music to Daniel. He will return to the college to give students feedback on their work in February.
The event gave students valuable information about the world of advertising and how music is placed in advertising campaigns. In addition to broadening and refining their music production skills through the project, the students will also benefit from Daniel’s professional feedback when he returns to the college.
Capital City College has become a member of Race Equality Matters as part of its ongoing work to reduce race inequality and improve representation across the college.
This Race Equality Week, which runs from 3 February to 9 February, Capital City College (CCC) is proud to announce that it has become a member of Race Equality Matters.
Race Equality Matters aims to remove barriers and provide solutions to tackle race inequality. Through proactive collaborative work, the organisation strives to share what works with its community in order to implement effective change.
As a member of Race Equality Matters, the college will benefit from being part of a collaborative and forward-thinking network that shares knowledge across its community. The college will also receive practical support from the organisation and will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of solutions and thought-leadership events.
The college has already started making the most of its membership by taking part in the Race Equality Matters #MyNameIs initiative. The campaign highlights the importance of getting people’s names right. Faced with the fact that an astounding 73% of people have had their name mispronounced, the college has launched an internal campaign during Race Equality Week to celebrate the diverse range of names among staff members at the college. By normalising phonetic spelling on email signatures, name badges and in meetings, the #MyNameIs campaign aims to ensure that the meaning, heritage and identity behind people’s names are respected in the workplace.
Trovene Hartley, Chief People Officer at CCC, said: “I am excited that we have become members of Race Equality Matters as we continue to work with our college community to address these issues and ensure equity and inclusion for everyone.”
The college’s membership to Race Equality Matters will provide further opportunities for involvement in national campaigns. By creating opportunities to open up conversations about race equality and representation, the college intends to continue improving equality, diversity and inclusion in all college spaces while also celebrating the diversity of its workforce and its student population.
Bimmy Rai, EDI Manager at CCC, said: “We are pleased to be joining the Race Equality Matters (REM) network, a membership-based organisation which will help support our work on Race and Intersectional Equity by providing resources, events and training including supporting our application for the REM Trailblazer award. REM’s impact is already proving positive as we embarked on our first REM #MyNameIs campaign.”
We spoke to Senior Pharmacy Assistant Josephine Cox about her experience of taking on a pharmacy apprenticeship after studying Biochemistry at university.
For many graduates, finding a job after university can present a challenge. Gaining access to the workplace after completing a degree can mean exploring pathways you had not previously considered such as apprenticeships.
After completing her Master’s in Biochemistry, Josephine Cox decided to embark upon thePharmacy Services Assistant – Level 2 Apprenticeship and explore a new area that would give her hands-on hospital experience in the medical sector.
We spoke to Josephine about her apprenticeship and how it has led her to her current role as a Senior Pharmacy Assistant at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
What led you to do an apprenticeship?
In 2023, I graduated from Exeter University with an integrated Master’s in Biochemistry. I spent about a year hunting for jobs and really wanted to gain hands-on experience in science. I saw the Trainee Pharmacy Assistant on NHS jobs and thought it would be great to work at a hospital in central London. I realised that it wasn’t a million miles away from what I’d done at uni so I gave it a go.
Well, after years in uni gaining both an undergraduate degree and a Master’s in Biochemistry, it felt like a bit of a backstep to go into an apprenticeship. It wasn’t something I thought I would have to do, but the job world is very difficult to get into, even with qualifications, and apprenticeships offer really good opportunities. I would encourage other people to look into apprenticeships because you gain another qualification and really useful on-the-job experience.
What attracted you to Apprenticeships+ as a training provider?
I did a bit of research into Apprenticeships+ before I started and looked online. They had a lot of resources on their website and provided practice papers for the end-point assessment, which is always a plus because I didn’t really want to go into it blind. I was happy to see that they had workbooks to aid me during the course because I didn’t really know anything about pharmacy before I started.
What drew you to pharmacy?
To be honest, I wasn’t looking at pharmacywhen I came out of uni. I studied Biochemistry and that’s really what I thought I’d end up in. I was interested in working within a hospital as that opens up so many doors. I wanted to kind of try something new and my apprenticeship included an aseptics rotation – where we work in the chemo unit to manufacture chemotherapy in isolators for patients who come in for their clinic appointments – and that excited me as well. I believe I’m quite good at picking things up quickly, so I wanted to give it a go and really see where it took me.
What did you like about your course?
Everything that I learnt was completely new. I found that what I was studying went hand in hand with what I was doing at work, particularly in the dispensary and store rotation where I was learning about things like legislation and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). I didn’t have a patient-facing rotation but the course covered some of the patient-facing aspects such as patient-centred care and counseling patients.
How did you find doing a fully remote course?
I was at university during the pandemic, so remote learning wasn’t new to me as I was very used to learning everything online. One day a week, I’d have a morning or an afternoon set aside so I could have my study time. We didn’t have lectures or classes so I didn’t have a cohort as such, but I had workbooks and assignments to complete. I was able to bond with the other Level 2 Apprentices in the hospital who were further ahead or further behind me and we would talk about the course and how we were getting on in our rotations.
How did your tutor support you?
My tutor, Elena, was really great. I met her as she came to the hospital quite a few times to do some observations. She’s lovely over the phone and very prompt with responding to emails, and she was really helpful. The online platform can be a little bit confusing at first, so Elena was really great at giving me advice.
How did your workplace support you during your apprenticeship?
They were always very accommodating and tried to make sure I had my dedicated study time. Sometimes, if we were a bit short-staffed or really busy, I wouldn’t necessarily get it, but then I’d have it the week after. They also supported me where possible, so if I needed to write a reflective account, one of the seniors would read over it and give me some pointers or sign it off.
What was the highlight of your course?
I’m really proud of what I achieved because pharmacy was completely new to me. Before I started the apprenticeship, I didn’t know anything about it, but I’ve learned a great deal and I’ve enjoyed it so much that I’ve stayed here. I loved my aseptic rotation, and I’m still in aseptics now. Also, getting a distinction in my end-point assessment was a big highlight.
How did you find the end-point assessment?
I completed my end-point assessment for the course in January 2025. It was very smooth and I felt very well prepared for it, which is another thing I can thank the college for. They gave me lots of really good information in advance and I had lots of practice with multiple-choice tests. We also did mock professional discussions via Teams, and that was really useful. They really gave me lots of support and were able to answer any questions I had, so I felt really prepared for the assessment.
How has the apprenticeship influenced your career progression?
I started as a Trainee Pharmacy Assistant as part of my apprenticeship. This role included three rotations each lasting four months working in different departments – in-patient dispensary, clinical trials, and aseptic sciences in the chemotherapy services unit. Around 11 months into the course, I progressed to the role of Senior Pharmacy Assistant in Chemotherapy Services.
What’s next for you?
I was given lots of information both from the college and through the education, training, and development team at Barts about courses to consider such as the Pharmacy Technician – Level 3 Apprenticeship or an NVQ Level 3 in Aseptic Sciences (Science Manufacturing Technician Course). Since taking on my Senior Pharmacy Assistant role, I have gained Science Manufacturing Technician Registration from both the Science Council and Institute of Biomedical Science thanks to my Level 7 Master’s qualification in Biomedical Sciences.
My next step will be to go for a band four or a band five position in aseptics because I really like being in this area.
Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about doing an apprenticeship?
I’d say “Go for it!” You’ve got nothing to lose because you’ll learn so much and get a really good qualification out of it. I’ve really enjoyed the experience I’ve had and have met so many people along the way. Doing an apprenticeship has lots of benefits, it really introduces you to so many new jobs and opportunities that you wouldn’t necessarily come across otherwise.
Apprenticeships+
Apprenticeships+ supports employers, employees, and jobseekers in pursuing apprenticeships. We provide clear guidance on funding options and processes to make apprenticeships accessible for everyone.
Capital City College student Molly Keeble-Watson Stead completes an exciting work experience placement at London-based prop and costume designer Unlikely Studios.
Unlikely Studios is a small prop and costume-making studio in Royal Albert Wharf that makes custom creations and worlds for clients across multiple industries including entertainment and advertising. The studio has created props for the iconic TV series The Witcher, and the film Snow White and their work has also been featured at the illustrious Cannes Film Festival.
During the incredibly varied hands-on placement, which took place from 11 – 22 November, Molly worked on a number of unique client projects such as creating a fake prop head by sponging latex onto a mould, hand-crafting realistic leaves to form part of a drag costume with the feel of a decaying forest and sewing a corset.
Molly said: “The highlights of the work experience were learning new skills and ways of doing things. Before these two weeks, I had never used a sewing machine and by the end, I’d produced a corset fully made by myself.
The work experience placement enabled Molly to develop relationships with professionals in her chosen industry and gave her the opportunity to develop her personal portfolio as she explores her next steps such as Higher Education.
She said: “I especially felt proud of the amount of professional work I was able to produce in such a short time. The placement has helped me network with people in the industry I wish to go into, I now have lots of work in my portfolio that shows me working for clients which will help with applying to university.”
Molly showed her initiative in finding her work experience placement by messaging a number of potential studios on LinkedIn to enquire about opportunities. As a result of her hard work and strong practical abilities, Molly has been invited to return to Unlikely Studios to assist with an art class.
At CCC, we place a high value on work experienceand all full-time study programmes include a placement with the relevant sector. As Molly’s successful placement demonstrated, work experience benefits both students and our work experience providers.
Students from Creative Media Production courses kickstart the year with exciting industry visits and workshops.
Students from Capital City College (CCC)’s Creative Media Production courses have started the year by diving into industry-centred activities.
Photo credit: Jason Geddes
Discover Creative Careers Week
As part of the college’s participation in Discover! Creative Choices Careers Week, CCC’s Enfield centre was matched with multi-award-winning creative communications agency Tin Man. The agency has worked with global brands across multiple sectors such as Vodafone, Virgin Atlantic, Oreo, Cadbury and Bassetts Vitamins.
During the project, the students worked in small groups with creative professionals from the creative agency to deliver poster designs targeting young people with the aim of supporting the fight against knife crime.
As part of the agency visit, students learned about various career roles within creative communications and had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a professional creative environment. The event enabled students to call on areas of learning from their courses and apply their knowledge and skills to real-world agency work.
Photo credit: Jason Geddes
Sky Studios Film and TV Workshop
On 14 January, a group of 25 students from Creative Media Production and Technology – Level 3 Diploma and Creative Media Production – Level 2 Diploma (UAL) courses visited Sky Studios Elstree to take part in a Film and TV Workshop.
During the event, students participated in a hands-on immersive experience using Extended Reality (XR) studio equipment to bring a short film to life. The students worked in groups to develop and create their pieces of work in a professional environment with industry-leading equipment. The workshop enabled them to gain a more intimate understanding of each stage of the production process, from inception to post-production.
Photo credit: Jason Geddes
In addition to completing the workshop tasks, students took part in a careers challenge and were taken on a studio tour of the world-class Sky Studios facilities which have played in major productions such as Wicked and Jurassic World.
Emmanuel, also a Creative Media Production and Technology Level 3 Diploma student, said: “It helped me to seek out the many opportunities and gave me hope in finding a career within the creative industries. It also helped me to discover how I can utilise what I have been learning in the classroom in the real world.”
The Creative Skills Academy’s LPN programme is an initiative that connects aspiring creatives with professional mentorship and real-world work experiences.
The programme is supported by industry experts and gives participants the opportunity to tackle employer-led briefs. During the programme, participants develop their portfolios, gain credits, receive mentoring, and access employability guidance – all of which increase their chances of gaining employment.
What skills do participants learn?
While working on live projects, participants are supervised by an industry professional and supported in developing the skills, behaviours, and processes essential to working effectively in creative, technical and administrative roles. The projects are designed to respond to specific skills needs which have been highlighted by industry employers and to give participants opportunities to develop key abilities and gain knowledge that will enable them to transition into a new role with greater ease.
The LPN programme focuses on the application of practical skills as well as building abilities in teamwork, communication, and work etiquette. The programme enables participants to get a clearer sense of their strengths while also enabling them to explore career options. A participant’s day during the course will mirror that of an industry professional, with each bespoke programme carefully tailored to meet employer and business needs.
Example programme: Graphic Design skills programme
The LPN Design Futures Graphic Design skills programme was created and delivered in partnership withLIFT (Leading Inclusive Future through Technology), an initiative incorporating Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Islington, and Camden councils and eight employers.
A group of 15 aspiring graphic designers with a range of technical abilities were selected from a diverse applicant pool to participate in the pre-internship course. Within this cohort, 65% came from underrepresented backgrounds, four participants identified as having learning difficulties and the majority of participants were unemployed when starting the course.
What did they do?
The course participants worked in teams to complete design briefs provided by local design agencies. They were led by an experienced graphic designer as they navigated the work processes of junior designers, engaging in idea generation, pitching, drafting, and developing concepts using industry-standard software.
Over the four weeks, participants were encouraged to demonstrate good work practices by maintaining punctuality, working collaboratively and adhering to workflow expectations. They managed tasks, presented ideas to employers, and delivered on project requirements.
The course involved regular feedback and as well as coaching sessions to support participants as they developed their skills and abilities. They also received employability support which included:
Visits to businesses and talks with industry professionals
Guidance on searching for jobs
Support writing CVs and cover letters
Networking skills
Creating a professional online presence
Setting up as a freelancer
The design agencies engaged with participants throughout the course by holding pitch sessions, providing feedback, and inviting students to their offices to share career insights and advice.
Phase 2: Eight-week paid internship
Following the pre-internship phase, all participants were interviewed by employers and eight were selected for a two-month paid internship with the design agencies. The selected interns continued to receive support through networking and feedback sessions with their peers.
At the end of the programme, two participants were offered extensions to their internships, with one resulting in full-time employment, and many of the others moved on to similar roles with new employers.
Other recent LPN programmes have included:
Accelerate Animation – an excellent eight-week animation bootcamp with award-winning animation studio Blue Zoo.
Set Design and Build – a hands-on course in partnership with Bloqs, an open-access workshop, for those interested in technical and construction careers within the creative industries.
Script in a Week / Film in a Week – a creative one-week course in which participants write scripts for a short film before voting for one to be developed and taken to production in partnership with Lumino Films. In the second week-long course, participants form a film production crew working alongside industry professionals in various roles to produce a short film.
Promo Producer – an immersive six-week programme delivered in partnership with BBC Studios and Award-winning director,Robbie Samuels. The course supports talented junior promo producers hoping to enter the industry as they develop skills in idea generation, time management and production pipelines while learning to interpret briefs and communicate ideas effectively.
The Creative Skills Academy’sinnovative and bespoke LPN programmes provide participants with industry-aligned skills and experiences. The programmes benefit both employers and jobseekers by effectively meeting industry training needs while offering learners valuable support in taking real steps towards meaningful employment.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the Creative industries, why not take a look at our Creative Skills Academy courses?
If you’re an employer in the creative sector and would like to work with us to strengthen the industry, please get in touch and learn more about our Employer Partnerships.
Kamran competed in a number of competition rounds to reach the international stage. Firstly, he took part in two heats against classmates at CCC before being chosen to progress to the next stage. Following his college heats, Kamran worked with his mentor Chef Christopher Basten to develop various dishes for two further competitive stages. For the first round, Kamran was given a limited selection of ingredients which he used to create a sweet potato and pumpkin gnocchi with an aromatic aubergine puree, sauce vierge and tomato. This was followed by a modern take on choux pastry with almond praline pastry cream, mango and orange. In round two, Kamran presented a menu of baked barramundi, white fish mousse and pearl barley risotto with prawns and a prawn bisque sauce. For dessert, he served a chocolate delice on a walnut biscuit with chantilly cream, mint oil and a passion fruit gel.
As a result of his success in the second round of the competition, Kamran was chosen to represent England on the international stage of the IIHM Young Chef Olympiad 2025. Throughout the competition, Kamran has been supported by his mentor Chef Christopher Basten and the teaching staff at the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. One of Kamran’s dishes was also featured on the menu at the college’s restaurant, The Vincent Rooms, allowing him to develop the dish and gain confidence in executing it. In the run-up to the international competition in Goa, Kamran has been busy practising his dishes with timed four-hour sessions during which he prepares and produces his competition menu.
Kamran said: “I think the biggest highlight so far would be the knowledge and techniques I have picked up in preparation for this competition. I’m sure there will be an infinite number of memories and moments to remember when in India.”
Photo credit: Jodi Hinds
Kamran has been drawn in Group A, so will remain in Goa to take part in the group stage of the competition where he is to compete against chefs from India, Kenya, Ireland, Brunei, Botswana, Ethiopia, Oman, Armenia and the USA. The other group stage competitions will take place in Hyderabad, Delhi, Pune and Bangalore and the competition will culminate in a Grand Finale in Kolkata.
Featuring truly diverse flavours, the competition will showcase the incredible talent of young chefs from across the globe. The judging panel will be led by Senior Judge Chef Gary Maclean, a celebrated food ambassador, author, and former MasterChef: The Professionals winner.
Kamran said: “I’m most looking forward to meeting all the other countries’ competitors, mentors and judges. I’m also very much looking forward to exploring the culture and cuisine India has to offer.”
Congratulations to Kamran on being chosen to represent England in the IIHM Young Chef Olympiad 2025. We wish you all the best for the competition!
Our renowned School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts is highly respected within the industry for its excellent teaching and learning opportunities. If you’re a budding chef, take a look at our fantastic range of Hospitality and Culinary Arts courses and apply now!
Empowering businesses and elevating skills: A new era for workforce development.
Capital City College Training, the training arm of Capital City College (CCC), a leading provider of professional apprenticeship and training solutions in London, has officially rebranded as Apprenticeships+, marking an exciting new chapter in its mission to support businesses and bridge skills gaps across the capital.
The rebrand will be officially launched during a special event on 11 February 2025, coinciding with National Apprenticeships Week. The relaunch reflects a renewed focus on delivering tailored, high-quality training and recruitment solutions for businesses of all sizes, with an emphasis on simplicity, flexibility, and impact.
Jackie Chapman, Group Principal of Apprenticeships, Partnerships and Innovation at CCC, said: “Apprenticeships+ represents a bold step forward in our commitment to empowering London’s businesses with the tools, expertise, and talent they need to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Our rebrand reflects not only an elevated level of service but also a shared vision for a stronger, more skilled workforce in London.”
Why Apprenticeships+?
The Apprenticeships+ offer is designed to deliver maximum value to employers through:
Access to a £1,000 government grant when recruiting apprentices aged 16–18.
Free recruitment services to streamline the hiring process, for apprentices and using Sector Based Work Academies to help fill entry-level roles.
Bespoke training programmes, including apprenticeships and short courses, designed in partnership with specialist trainers to meet the unique needs of employers and bridge the London skills gap.
Flexible delivery options are available in the workplace, online or at our state-of-the-art training centres. This team works around your timetable including on weekends.
The rebrand also introduces a refreshed visual identity, including a new logo, signalling the organisation’s commitment to innovation and progress, and CCC’s brand values: reflective real-life learning; connected communities; and expanded horizons.
Building on a legacy of success
The rebrand highlights Capital City College Group’s legacy as London’s largest further education provider, serving around 38,000 students and apprentices annually across eleven sites. With 97% of students moving on to positive destinations after their studies, the Group’s proven track record underpins the Apprenticeships+ brand with an apprenticeship achievement rate 5% above the National Average last year.
Aligned with its mission, “To create a future which is uniquely yours,” CCC continues to prioritise inclusivity and real-world learning, values central to the success of its students and employer partnerships.
Join us for our launch event
The launch event on 11 February 2025 will offer an exclusive opportunity for businesses to learn more about Apprenticeships+, meet industry experts, and explore how apprenticeships can transform their organisations.
I’ve been working as a Receptionist for Change Grow Live for the last six years with some secondments in between. I first started out doing basic reception duties but as time went on I expanded my skills. As well as working on reception with general duties like getting everyone to sign in and helping with room bookings, I also help people if they have issues logging in and using IT equipment. I also do statutory health and safety checks such as the weekly fire alarms and conduct extinguisher and premises checks.
What led you to start an apprenticeship?
As I developed my skills, I started to help the facilities team. I thought it would be a good idea to do a course and see where it took me. I wanted to understand more about what Facilities Management involves. There’s so much to it, it’s a bit like the backbone of a lot of businesses but you don’t always realise it. To keep a building operating you need electricity, you need to liaise with different contractors and suppliers, you need everything to function correctly, so we work with different departments and have to be able to engage with and build rapport with lots of different people and companies. It’s quite exciting and interesting.
The thing I enjoyed the most was understanding the different aspects of being a Facilities Manager as there’s a lot involved in keeping a building going. I got to learn about a lot of things that I didn’t know about before such as the reasons why we have to do the statutory checks on a regular basis.
What were the highlights of the course?
For me, the highlight was gaining knowledge of how many legal requirements are needed in certain aspects of building and facilitating a working environment for colleagues and visitors.
If anything happens within a building, it all falls back to Facilities Management, so you have to understand that people will need to come to you for a whole range of things, and it’s all about being positive and approachable, having a good rapport with people and treating everyone equally.
Was it easy to connect with your cohort and your tutor?
It was brilliant. Everyone was on the same wavelength and we got along. The course tutor, Rod, explained everything brilliantly and was really easy to communicate with. If I needed help with anything, he was just an email away. He made you feel like he was really there to support you and was easy to build a rapport with. If I was unsure about a certain question in an assignment because of the wording, he would just break it down and explain what it meant.
Everything was done online and the only time we met each other was when some of us were doing our Level 2 Maths, which was required for the course. There were quite a few of us so we met up while we were doing that.
What did you find challenging about the course?
The challenging part was completing my Level 2 Maths. I’ve never really been a maths person, but you need it to complete the course and I failed it the first time, but then the second time, when I passed, it was a weight off my shoulders.
The course included an exam and I’m not really a fan of exams. I had to just try and get everything into my head. Apart from that, I wouldn’t say anything was particularly challenging because I got the support I needed from Rod so it was just a case of me going back and putting everything I needed into the assignments.
How did the college support you during your course?
I had different tutors for maths, the apprenticeship assignments and the End Point Assessment interview. They all assisted me and provided me with the information I needed. It really encouraged me to keep going and complete the course.
How did your workplace support you during the course?
The support network at work was amazing. My workplace and my manager were both so supportive with anything I needed such as time to focus on the assignments. I like to do things myself and stand on my own two feet, but I knew that support was always there.
How did you find the assessment for the course?
Anytime I hear the word ‘exam’, I feel the pressure. Obviously I knew what I was revising for, but there was a lot to cover. Once I’d put it into my head and practised and revised, it wasn’t so bad. It wasn’t a walk in the part but it was definitely a weight off my shoulders when it was finished.
It’s good to have nerves though. It shows how keen you are and how much you’re concentrating. I’m more of a practical person, so I was more relaxed in the interview because I knew what I was doing on a daily basis and I had a good idea of what to expect.
How has the course helped you in your current role?
The apprenticeship course has helped in many ways because I now understand what’s involved in Facilities Management. It’s helped me understand my workplace from within, knowing more about what different roles and departments are and how they connect with the facilities team. I’m always engaging with different departments, from IT toBusiness Development and Marketing, so it’s just about communicating with them, having positive interactions and building a network that will support you.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about doing the course?
Go for it! Doing an apprenticeship can get challenging at times but, for me, it was the right pathway to gain knowledge. I was already involved in facilities so it made sense for me to do something related to that. I think that it’s good to get into things gradually because if you overburden yourself, it’s going to be too much pressure. Going into the course, I had a good idea of what to expect but doing the course helped me understand why Facilities Management is important within any organisation or company.
What next for you?
I’m not sure what challenge I want to take on next. Whatever it is, I’ll do it slowly but surely and see what comes up within the organisation. I get brilliant support from my manager and it’s a great organisation I work for. I’ll see what opportunities come my way and if the next big step for my career comes along, then I’ll take it.
Apprenticeships+
Apprenticeships+supports employers, employees, and jobseekers in pursuing apprenticeships. We provide clear guidance on funding options and processes to make apprenticeships accessible for everyone.