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Why did you choose an apprenticeship at The Access Group?
I never went to university when I was younger and finally decided that I wanted a degree! I had previously worked with PR, comms and marketing teams and knew that’s where I wanted to focus. I wasn’t in a financial position to leave full-time employment, so when a degree apprenticeship came up at The Access Group, it felt like the perfect next step.
What’s been your biggest learning so far?
One of my biggest learnings so far has been realising just how challenging the step up to a degree apprenticeship can be. Having already completed a Level 4 apprenticeship, I initially assumed I knew what to expect. The jump was bigger than I anticipated, but it’s pushed me to develop new skills, become more resilient and grow in confidence both academically and professionally.
How has your team supported your development?
My team has been incredibly supportive of my development. They’ve always made time to answer questions, offer feedback and encourage me to get involved in new projects. Knowing I’m in an environment where I can ask for help and learn from experienced colleagues has made a huge difference.
What fresh perspective do apprentices bring to the business?
During our workshops for the apprenticeship, we speak with apprentices doing similar roles in a variety of different industries. During this time, we catch up on what they’re doing in their role, and it’s great to see how we can apply these ideas to our own team. Additionally, and more on a personal level, as a Gen Z, I find that I’m chronically online and therefore ahead of trends. This allows me to jump on trends that are relevant for Access Recruitment and repurpose them to our audience across LinkedIn before our competitors do – making our page more human and relatable.
What’s been your favourite project or moment?
It’s hard to pick just one! One of my favourite projects was for my apprenticeship, but also perfectly linked with work. I had to create an integrated marketing campaign for one of my assignments, which allowed me to work with a wider variety of people within the marketing team than I would on a day-to-day basis, but also allowed me to explore different areas of marketing and brought out both my creative and analytical skills. Whilst the project was hypothetical, some of the ideas from the campaign are being brought to life within our team.
What advice would you give future apprentices?
Don’t be afraid to speak up – if you have ideas, put them forward! No idea is a bad idea, and you will surprise yourself with how much your confidence grows by doing this. Additionally, manage your time and workload. Block time in your calendar to focus on work for your apprenticeship – that uninterrupted time is golden.