Vanessa is currently working towards her Business Administration level 3 Apprenticeship. Vanessa is hosted by City of Bristol College at the SBSA campus in Hengrove Park.
Vanessa’s training is delivered by City of Bristol College.
City of Bristol College have multiple sites in Bristol, with state-of-the-art facilities, expert staff and an inspiring learning environment for their students to thrive in. The college offers something for everyone in an inclusive and supportive environment.
We sat down with Vanessa to find out how it’s been going.
Tell us a little about yourself and why you decided to pursue an apprenticeship?
“When I was in school, I found a range of hobbies that I enjoyed, however studying them long-term made me enjoy them less. This resulted in me no longer enjoying school and the traditional learning environment. I did not know what I had wanted to do for a career because of this and was never told that Apprenticeships were an option until I was sitting my A-levels. An apprenticeship was a perfect in-between of working and learning that provided me a security working towards a career.”
What attracted you to this role and industry?
“The engagement within the college was an atmosphere that I had seen from friends and family who had attended. The college offers lots of support for starting a career and has a wide range of inclusivity that made starting to work here an easy transition.”
How did you hear about this apprenticeship opportunity?
“I had seen the opportunity advertised online. This had soon led me to the college website to inspect what other roles they had, as well as other education offers.”
What support did you receive from SWAC when applying for this role?
“SWAC made the onboarding an easy process, keeping me updated which made it easier to feel more confident about starting the role. This is something that SWAC still do more than a year into the role.”
Did SWAC help you prepare for the apprenticeship? If so, how?
“SWAC provided information about the interview process and information about the college itself which helped me to know what I was getting into. Additionally, they had discussed the different options for after an apprenticeship which helped put the practicality into perspective.”
What is a typical day like in your role with the host employer?
“Typically, I am allocated tasks within the Development schedule, which allows me to prepare for my tasks well before I must start them, which helps with time management. There is regular training to help provide opportunities to explore more tasks to work on, on a day-to-day basis.”
How has the host employer supported your learning and development?
“My host employer has provided me with multiple training opportunities which helps provide context to all the tasks I would have to do, as well as ensuring that all the tasks that I am allocated are within my skillset. They also ensure that I can grow my skills through new tasks that I have never worked on before.”
What new skills or knowledge have you gained since starting your apprenticeship?
“I have gained new knowledge of SQL and databases which is something I was not as well versed on before. This has given me lots of context towards the behind the scenes of the curriculum side of the college.”
Have you faced any challenges, and how were they resolved with support from the host employer or agency?
“Most challenges have come when working on new tasks or learning the context behind why and how certain tasks are done. My host employer has always been able to either provide training or someone experienced with the process to talk to. This has helped me learn more of the organisation outside of the people I talk to daily and has helped me to find the correct people to talk to when completing work for different departments.”
How has SWAC supported you during your apprenticeship?
“SWAC has been a positive helping hand throughout my apprenticeship, ensuring that I am doing well and that I know the different options I could progress onto after my Apprenticeship. They also enlighten me to conferences and events that could further progress these options.”
Were there any aspects of the apprenticeship where SWAC’s involvement made a significant difference?
“I am currently in the transition into EPA, and SWAC has provided me with the resources to help know what I would like to progress onto. SWAC has been reassuring and provided me with all the information I have asked for and more, which has made the thought of progressing a little less worrisome.”
How has the apprenticeship helped you grow personally and professionally?
“I have been exposed to many different working environments as well as the different circumstances that come with a working life. This has allowed me to develop my communication skills.”
Can you share a key achievement or moment you’re particularly proud of?
“I was able to go to an Apprenticeship Conference which is something my younger self would have had no interest in. However, this allowed me to make new connections and learn more about Apprenticeships as a whole.”
How has this experience prepared you for your future career?
“This has allowed me to see what an apprenticeship can lead to and what it can mean for my career long term.”
What are your career aspirations after completing this apprenticeship?
“As I am currently not 100% sure as to what I want to do for a certain career, I want to continue with Apprenticeships at higher levels for the work experience and to hopefully discover more working opportunities that appeal to me.”
Would you recommend an apprenticeship to others? Why?
“I would recommend apprenticeships, as it has helped me narrow down career options and has allowed me to see multiple different job roles in action to decide what I do.”
Would you recommend SWAC to others? If so, why?
“I would recommend SWAC because of their helpfulness and kindness, always considering what would be best for you and providing options to help you improve.”
What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?
“If you are unsure of a career path that you want to pursue. Consider an apprenticeship in anything you show interest in as a starting point.”
