Learner case study: Gemma Rigley
Supporting apprentices led to an apprenticeship of my own
“An apprenticeship truly ticks all boxes: of course it teaches theory in the same way a college course might; but crucially, it provides the experience which employers jump at when selecting candidates.” |
Access Training has supported hundreds of apprentices in completing their Level 2, 3 and 5 Team Leader/Manager qualifications.
Gemma Rigley is Education Co-ordinator for DREEAM, an educational and research service linked to the Emergency Department at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Here she shares her dual experience supporting apprentices and being one herself. |
“I joined QMC’s Emergency Department in 2003 as an administration assistant after returning to the East Midlands from Hertfordshire. What appealed to me about a career in the NHS was its reputation for helping its staff to grow and develop.
In the same year, our department welcomed its first apprentices but it wasn’t until I was promoted to the role of Training Coordinator in 2008 that I got more deeply involved in mentoring apprentices.
It can be a challenge for a school leaver to develop necessary work discipline; particularly when it comes to following critical procedures within the Trust. Once that’s nailed, however, I find their willingness to learn anything thrown their way makes for an entirely employable individual after only twelve months.
I derive an immense amount of pride and satisfaction in seeing how a young apprentice transforms from the shy school leaver who is undecided about a future role to the confident, skilled individual who has an absolute passion for the career path he or she wishes to take.
Beyond school leavers
There’s often a misperception that apprenticeships are only suited to school leavers. In 2018 following expansion of my role, the opportunity arose for me to study for a Level 3 Management apprenticeship – at the ripe old age of 35! This gave me an even stronger appreciation of the power of apprenticeships. I’ve studied at college previously and the learning experience is not comparative in any way. An apprenticeship truly ticks all boxes: of course it teaches theory in the same way a college course might; but crucially, it provides the experience which employers jump at when selecting candidates.
One element that I found less enjoyable was bettering my grade in Maths. Access recognised that I was struggling in the group teaching environment but with 1-2-1 tutoring with my super supportive Trainer Assessor, Claire Lloyd, I got the grade I needed plus my Level 3 apprenticeship.
That gave me the drive to tackle a Level 5 Departmental/ Operations Manager apprenticeship. I’m only in my first year but already my studies have helped me to apply new theory to my role which, without question, will support the next stage of my career as a senior manager.
650 Access apprentices and counting
No fewer than 650 learners have either completed or are in the process of completing their apprenticeship within the Trust - all with the support of Access. I have had the privilege in supporting 41 of them through their career journey.
Areas of training have ranged from healthcare to business administration, and team leading & supervision.
I can honestly say that I have yet to meet a member of the Access team who isn’t 100% supportive. Speaking as a learner, I know if there’s something you need to understand and it’s not quite sinking in, they will sit with you until you’ve got it. They really are with you every step of the way.
Life after an apprenticeship?
We invest a great deal of time in coaching an individual throughout his or her apprenticeship so that we can really drill down to the role they’re most interested in.
Many of our apprentices have secured full-time roles within the Trust; even if it turns out that what really appeals to them is a role or department that bears no relation to their apprenticeship. Where that’s not possible, we’ll support our young people with interviewing and CV techniques so that they can secure employment elsewhere.
Ultimately, an apprenticeship is designed to improve long-term career progression. That’s a personal journey I’ve experienced along with the young apprentices within our Trust – and I can’t recommend it enough!”
In the same year, our department welcomed its first apprentices but it wasn’t until I was promoted to the role of Training Coordinator in 2008 that I got more deeply involved in mentoring apprentices.
It can be a challenge for a school leaver to develop necessary work discipline; particularly when it comes to following critical procedures within the Trust. Once that’s nailed, however, I find their willingness to learn anything thrown their way makes for an entirely employable individual after only twelve months.
I derive an immense amount of pride and satisfaction in seeing how a young apprentice transforms from the shy school leaver who is undecided about a future role to the confident, skilled individual who has an absolute passion for the career path he or she wishes to take.
Beyond school leavers
There’s often a misperception that apprenticeships are only suited to school leavers. In 2018 following expansion of my role, the opportunity arose for me to study for a Level 3 Management apprenticeship – at the ripe old age of 35! This gave me an even stronger appreciation of the power of apprenticeships. I’ve studied at college previously and the learning experience is not comparative in any way. An apprenticeship truly ticks all boxes: of course it teaches theory in the same way a college course might; but crucially, it provides the experience which employers jump at when selecting candidates.
One element that I found less enjoyable was bettering my grade in Maths. Access recognised that I was struggling in the group teaching environment but with 1-2-1 tutoring with my super supportive Trainer Assessor, Claire Lloyd, I got the grade I needed plus my Level 3 apprenticeship.
That gave me the drive to tackle a Level 5 Departmental/ Operations Manager apprenticeship. I’m only in my first year but already my studies have helped me to apply new theory to my role which, without question, will support the next stage of my career as a senior manager.
650 Access apprentices and counting
No fewer than 650 learners have either completed or are in the process of completing their apprenticeship within the Trust - all with the support of Access. I have had the privilege in supporting 41 of them through their career journey.
Areas of training have ranged from healthcare to business administration, and team leading & supervision.
I can honestly say that I have yet to meet a member of the Access team who isn’t 100% supportive. Speaking as a learner, I know if there’s something you need to understand and it’s not quite sinking in, they will sit with you until you’ve got it. They really are with you every step of the way.
Life after an apprenticeship?
We invest a great deal of time in coaching an individual throughout his or her apprenticeship so that we can really drill down to the role they’re most interested in.
Many of our apprentices have secured full-time roles within the Trust; even if it turns out that what really appeals to them is a role or department that bears no relation to their apprenticeship. Where that’s not possible, we’ll support our young people with interviewing and CV techniques so that they can secure employment elsewhere.
Ultimately, an apprenticeship is designed to improve long-term career progression. That’s a personal journey I’ve experienced along with the young apprentices within our Trust – and I can’t recommend it enough!”
Share this post