Becki Slane is a former Business Administration Apprentice and is currently a Vacancy Coordinator with the National Apprenticeship Service.
Becki responded to an advert for a Level 2 Business Administration Apprentice with a local training and recruitment company after recently moving to the Andover area. One of Andover College’s Apprenticeship Liaison Officers, Tracey Prynne, came to meet Becki at work to explain the process and arrange a tour round the College.
Becki says: “I really liked the look of it; I was very impressed with the variety of courses and everyone seemed really nice and welcoming. I was worried I’d be the oldest, but it certainly wasn’t just full of school leavers!”
On successfully completing her Level 2 Apprenticeship, Becki progressed onto the Level 3. “The transition to Level 3 was very good and I’d met my new tutor already, which helped.”
“The good thing about an Apprenticeship is that it makes all the parts easier – you pick up new information on the course which helps you at work and then provides good working examples for your portfolio. You’re not just relying on your employer for training; you get outside help, which can benefit your colleagues too.”
Becki would encourage anyone to consider an Apprenticeship: “Consider the qualification; it opens up so many doors. I thought of it as an investment in my future.”
Shortly after starting her Level 3 Apprenticeship, Becki found out she was expecting a baby. She was worried about the impact on her course, but was relieved with the support the College offered. “My tutor was really understanding and offered me extra support straight away. I was so pleased they were able to make changes around my circumstances and I was able to finish my course when my daughter, Olivia, was five months old.”
Not long after this, Becki relocated to Bristol with her family. Looking to return to work, she applied for a role as Vacancy Coordinator with the National Apprenticeship Service. “Because of my experience as an Apprentice, it really appealed to me. The interviewers knew I could see things from a candidate’s perspective and my enthusiasm came across. “
Becki was successful and has been enjoying her new role since October 2014. Responsible for understanding employer and candidate needs, she is involved in quality checking vacancies from learning providers and making sure there is enough information to encourage a candidate to apply.
“I know how important an Apprenticeship can be and it’s great to be on the other side of that now. There are many other options as well as university and I think an Apprenticeship is one of the best.”