National Apprenticeship Week 2023 - Case Studies

Jamal Rickett

Customer Service Apprentice

What made you choose to join as an apprentice?

My previous job didn’t offer the support and satisfaction I was looking for in my career. I went to school in the local area and a lot of my friends and people I knew had joined Auto Windscreens. I considered university, but the apprenticeship won me over as it offers real experience in the workplace whilst paying you to learn as well.

What were you doing before?

After finishing my A levels, I got a job doing door-to-door sales, selling gas and electric. My co-workers were money-oriented and there didn’t seem to be a focus on supporting and helping others.

What are you enjoying about the apprenticeship and role you’re doing now?

One of the best things about being an apprentice is the amount of support you get and the relationships you build with your co-workers and other apprentices. I’ve already completed a Level 2 apprenticeship in the call centre. The support and coaching from team leaders and colleagues sat around me has been second-to-none.

Can you use three words to describe it?

Family, maturity, fulfilling.

What are your plans for the future once you’ve completed your apprenticeship?

I received a Distinction in my Level 2 Customer Services apprenticeship and have moved onto working towards a Level 3 apprenticeship. Once I’ve completed it, I’m hoping to work my way through different departments at Auto Windscreens to find what truly suits me.

What would you say to someone thinking of doing an apprenticeship?

I would say go for it. The fact that you work towards getting a real qualification whilst being paid and getting your foot in the door at a business is amazing. An apprenticeship at Auto Windscreens is not just work and coursework, you visit different departments, get involved and run different events and receive real encouragement in everything you do.

Elise Taylor

Compliance Auditor ALEX Apprentice

What made you choose to join as an apprentice?

I wanted to carry on gaining skills but I’ve always preferred being in a working environment rather than school and I knew that I wanted to carry on my education. I stared work from a young age and knew an apprenticeship would suit me best.

What were you doing before?

I had a weekend job at Primark whilst completing A levels at sixth form.

What are you enjoying about the apprenticeship and role you’re doing now?

I started by gaining a Distinction in a Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner apprenticeship. This gave me an insight into all aspects of Auto Windscreens and enabled me to build a career map focusing on training and development.

I am now on a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship programme and am part of the Training and Compliance team. I enjoy this role as it allows me to have an input into the development of our staff, look at new ways to improve process and communicate with colleagues at all levels.

My current apprenticeship has given me valuable insight into processes and is helping me develop in my role, continue to learn and gain more business knowledge. I’m really enjoying it and have a great team!

Can you use three words to describe it?

Challenging, rewarding and informative.

What are your plans for the future once you’ve completed your apprenticeship?

I hope to progress in my current role and would like become a trainer for new starters/apprentices. My role as Compliance Auditor is helping me to achieve this goal as I’m involved in new process changes and have the opportunity to think of new ideas for existing training material.

What would you say to someone thinking of doing an apprenticeship?

Go for it! An apprenticeship gives you the chance to learn different aspects of a business, so you can make an informed decision on your future career path. It builds your knowledge base and experience around your role while financially supporting you.

Leah Randall

Customer Service Apprentice

What made you choose to join as an apprentice?

When I left school, I joined the sixth form and decided it really wasn’t for me. So, in 2021, I began a Level 2 apprenticeship at Auto Windscreens, working in the call centre.

What are you enjoying about the apprenticeship and role you’re doing now?

I really like that I can work and learn at the same time as it gives me an insight on how to handle money as well as being introduced to full time work.

Can you use three words to describe it?

Three words I’d use to describe the apprenticeship at Auto Windscreens are opportunity, teamwork, and freedom.

What would you say to someone thinking of doing an apprenticeship?

I’d definitely recommend apprenticeships to those who are considering what path to take after school.

Megan Church

Resource Planning Analyst

When did you take your apprenticeship?

I started my 18-month Level 3 apprenticeship in Business Administration in October 2020.

What made you choose to join as an apprentice?

I chose to take on an apprenticeship to gain more experience and confidence in the workplace.

What were you doing before?

Before my apprenticeship I went to Chesterfield College to study sports science. While there I also worked in Auto Windscreens’ canteen. This helped me earn money and manage my outgoings.

How long have you worked for AW?

This year will be my fifth year working at Auto Windscreens, I worked in the canteen and helped with administration before starting my apprenticeship with the Resource Planning Team.

What did you enjoy about the apprenticeship?

The apprenticeship taught me about the role, helped me to gain more knowledge of other parts of the business and showed me how I fit into the bigger picture.

Can you use three words to describe it?

Training, qualifications and interaction.

What do you think you learnt that you could apply to the job you do now?

My apprenticeship helped me understand the necessity of always having staff running the functions to keep the business flowing. I now understand the importance of planning staff resource to ensure each department is staffed correctly every day.

What do you enjoy about being a Resource Planning Analyst?

I enjoy that not every day is the same, which helps me to gain more knowledge of different areas of the business. I have a good team who support me whenever I’m stuck with something.

What would you say to someone thinking of doing an apprenticeship?

Do an apprenticeship as you’re still learning whilst earning - it also gives you more qualifications, too.

Ashley Atkins

Mobile Technician

Ashley Atkins was the first in England to successfully complete the new Level 3 Automotive Glazing Technician apprenticeship, following a successful End Point Assessment by GQA Qualifications.

When did you take your apprenticeship?

I started my career at Auto Windscreens with an apprenticeship in 2021, which I completed in January this year.

What were you doing before?

Previously I was an apprentice plumber.

What made you choose to join Auto Windscreens as an apprentice?

My dad used to do this job when I was younger, and when I went out on the odd day with him, I found the job really interesting. Joining as an apprentice was the best way for me to learn the role.

What do you enjoy about the apprenticeship?

I enjoyed being supported by my trainer and going to the Training Centre at head office.

What do you think you learnt that you could apply to the job you do now?

I've learnt how to communicate with different people and how customers’ needs differ from job to job.

What do you enjoy about being a Mobile Technician?

I enjoy the freedom of being mobile, you’re your own boss to a certain extent, and especially fitting in the great summer weather!

What would you say to someone thinking of doing an apprenticeship?

It’s definitely worth doing - take the leap and go for it, you'll regret it if you don’t!

Hollie Bebee

Facilities and H&S Administrator

When did you take your apprenticeship?

I took my Customer Service Level 2 in 2020 and Business Admin Level 3 apprenticeships in 2021.

What made you choose to join as an apprentice?

My cousin recommended the Auto Windscreens’ ALEX apprenticeship programme and I liked the idea of learning whilst being able to work and earn money, too.

What were you doing before?

I had just finished secondary school.

How long have you worked for AW?

Three years now.

What did you enjoy about the apprenticeship?

I enjoyed the freedom it gave me to learn at my own pace and the support I received throughout the apprenticeship was really good.

Can you use three words to describe it?

Eye-opening, challenging, rewarding.

What do you think you learnt that you could apply to the job you do now?

I learnt the importance of time management and how to organise my workload. I’ve also become more confident when speaking to people and have the courage to put my ideas forward.

What do you enjoy about being a Facilities & HS Administrator?

I enjoy the variety that comes with my job role and getting to do something different every day.

What would you say to someone thinking of doing an apprenticeship?

I’d say go for it! I know schools tend to push students towards sixth form or university, but if I hadn’t had done the apprenticeship, I wouldn’t have learnt the life skills I have now or have met the amazing people I work with.