This National Apprenticeship Week, we are celebrating our Svella Connect apprentices living our the campaign's ethos of 'Skills for Life' as they work to develop skills, experience and learning to forge long-term careers in the telecoms industry.
Imogen Gazy is a Civils Contract Coordinator, based in Svella Connect’s Warrington office, and is currently studying for her Associate Project Manager L4, with North Lancs Training Group.
What do you enjoy about your apprenticeship?
A large part of the course is self-guided which allows me to plan my learning around my workload. When I was selecting a course, it was important that it was something where I could go at my own pace due to the varying changes in workload throughout the year. There are also workshops with other students from different organisations. Attending these workshops allows me to see how other organisations run projects and use different methods of tackling obstacles that occur during the project life cycle. A large part of the apprenticeship is shadowing different members of the project team, which gives me an opportunity to go to site to see works in person.
What skills has it taught you?
Since starting the apprenticeship I have learnt a number of things, such as estimating techniques, developing business cases and scope management.
How has it helped you in your first job, while also giving you an education?
The shadowing people and going on site with them element of the apprenticeship has helped me when coordinating works. I now have a better understanding of the space that the crews require when completing works, and how much time they require, which has helped me coordinate and plan more effectively.
What would you say to others who are thinking about doing an apprenticeship?
I would definitely recommend going for an apprenticeship. Being able to learn on the job and the flexibility it allows when working in a fast-paced, busy work environment has given me the opportunity to continue learning and improving, which I wouldn’t have had the ability to do if it was a classroom-based course.
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Harrison Rowe is a Junior Service Desk Analyst in the Kirkby in Ashfield office, working under Tom Poyser (Service Desk Manager) and Craig Greatorex (IT Director).
His apprenticeship is in ICT Level 3, which includes Cisco IT Essentials, Networking Essentials & Cyber Security, Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (AZ-900 Cloud Computing & MS-900 Microsoft 365 Admin Centre).
What do you enjoy about your apprenticeship?
I enjoy being able to learn new skills while being in a working environment. This lets me experience the role as I learn the background knowledge and skills for it and lets me put it into practice in a real-world situation.
What skills has it taught you?
The apprenticeship teaches me how to perform hardware and software fault diagnosis on devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, etc, as well as set them up, make sure their data is secure, securely setup and maintain networks (internet and internal networks), and more.
How has it helped you in your first job, while also giving you an education?
It has helped me learn the values of working within a team in a working environment and is helping me to continue to progress my learning as I grow and develop further skills in the course.
What would you say to others who are thinking about doing an apprenticeship?
If you're considering an apprenticeship, you should jump at the opportunity as it is a great way to learn while you earn, especially if you're a school leaver such as myself.
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Gabriel Bailey is an Apprentice Fibre Splicer, based in Svella Connect’s Kirkby in Ashfield office in the East Midlands. He is completing a Telecoms Operative/Splicer apprenticeship.
What do you enjoy about your apprenticeship?
I have enjoyed meeting new people and being treated like an adult. Everyone I have worked with has always been friendly and helpful and treated me as an equal.
What skills has it taught you?
I’ve learned about all aspects of the role of field operative and splicer and have even climbed telegraph poles to work at heights, which was something I never thought I could do. Splicing is what I enjoy the most and my mentor, Dave Starr, has been brilliant and taught me all the skills I need. I’ve also gained the confidence to speak with people in many different situations – customers, colleagues and managers.
How has it helped you in your first job, while also giving you an education?
I have enjoyed the balance of working and studying and have been well supported along the way. Being in a working environment throughout my apprenticeship has made me more confident in the workplace and in my abilities.
What would you say to others who are thinking about doing an apprenticeship?
I would really recommend an apprenticeship and especially one with Svella Connect. I couldn’t have had more support and encouragement from my colleagues and the business.