Learner case study: Lucy Patrick
How a traineeship meant we didn’t lose out on a ‘hidden gem’ candidate
When a candidate is nervous, inexperienced and doesn’t perform as they had hoped in interview, they regrettably miss out on the wonderful opportunities that employment can bring. That was nearly the case with Lucy Patrick when she was turned down for an apprenticeship at Stan’s Pals Pet Shop and Groomers. An Access Training traineeship provided a welcome alternative route into the business. Here, owner Tina Holmes describes how Lucy has found confidence and a long-term future in pet care.
“Stan's Pals Pet Shop and Groomers is an animal care and retail company based in Swadlincote which I set up ten years ago. Our work is diverse; as well as selling pet supplies (and some smaller pets), we offer dog and small animal grooming, and a dog walking service.
We’ve been going for ten years, and have built our business up to 15 employees. I’ve always seen the benefit that apprentices and trainees bring, and I really get a sense of satisfaction from seeing the individuals we take on, flourish.
Coincidentally, when Access Training put Lucy forward as a potential apprentice, we already knew her sister (as she had very kindly re-housed one of our rescue dogs). Unfortunately, Lucy did not perform well on her Zoom interview. She was incredibly nervous and shy, and seemed to think that we would know what she was capable of through osmosis! She didn’t appear to have the disposition for a customer-facing role, and we offered the apprenticeship to another candidate, Becky.
A few days after the interview, we had to change course. Covid hit, and we simply didn’t have the cashflow to go ahead with the apprenticeship programme as we had planned. Rachel West, the Sales Manager at Access Training, suggested that traineeships might be a better short-term solution for us.
It was at that point that our attention turned back to Lucy. Could she benefit from all that a traineeship would offer in building her confidence? We planned to take on both Becky and Lucy as trainees, with Becky being converted to an apprenticeship at the end of the programme, and Lucy being given vital work experience to help her CV.
It was soon obvious it wouldn’t quite work out like that. Lucy quickly got her feet under the table and proved her worth; by the fourth week of the six-week traineeship programme, we offered her an apprenticeship interview. In fact, Lucy herself had already decided that she wasn’t going anywhere, and she got the apprenticeship placement, along with Becky.
Lucy’s Customer Services apprenticeship will equip her with all the skills she needs to engage with our (human) customers. They’re skills she’s already putting to good use on the shopfloor and when she acts as receptionist for our groom room.
The advice I would give to other employers? If the traditional interview process leaves you unconvinced by a candidate, consider giving them a chance through a traineeship. This longer spell of work experience – available to your business at no cost – gives you the opportunity to really get to know whether a candidate is suitable for an apprenticeship or employment. It means nervous candidates get the opportunity to shine, and that you don’t lose out on someone who could turn out to be a real asset to your team.
As Lucy started to open up and trust us, we discovered why she had been so guarded at interview. She had been hiding the fact that she was homeless (in effect, sofa surfing at her sister’s). An added and very stressful complication that no young person needs in their lives. We’ve helped Lucy apply for housing, and whilst that’s been a long process, we’re delighted she’s about to move into her new home.
It’s hard to imagine that this once so painfully shy girl is now such a vocal and energetic part of the team. So much so, she’d like to add her own message,
“Each team member has helped me so much over the past eight months and has taught me so much. My life has turned around, and I have my traineeship and the team at Stan’s Pals to thank”.
Thank you, Lucy, for all that you bring to our business!”
“Stan's Pals Pet Shop and Groomers is an animal care and retail company based in Swadlincote which I set up ten years ago. Our work is diverse; as well as selling pet supplies (and some smaller pets), we offer dog and small animal grooming, and a dog walking service.
We’ve been going for ten years, and have built our business up to 15 employees. I’ve always seen the benefit that apprentices and trainees bring, and I really get a sense of satisfaction from seeing the individuals we take on, flourish.
Coincidentally, when Access Training put Lucy forward as a potential apprentice, we already knew her sister (as she had very kindly re-housed one of our rescue dogs). Unfortunately, Lucy did not perform well on her Zoom interview. She was incredibly nervous and shy, and seemed to think that we would know what she was capable of through osmosis! She didn’t appear to have the disposition for a customer-facing role, and we offered the apprenticeship to another candidate, Becky.
A few days after the interview, we had to change course. Covid hit, and we simply didn’t have the cashflow to go ahead with the apprenticeship programme as we had planned. Rachel West, the Sales Manager at Access Training, suggested that traineeships might be a better short-term solution for us.
It was at that point that our attention turned back to Lucy. Could she benefit from all that a traineeship would offer in building her confidence? We planned to take on both Becky and Lucy as trainees, with Becky being converted to an apprenticeship at the end of the programme, and Lucy being given vital work experience to help her CV.
It was soon obvious it wouldn’t quite work out like that. Lucy quickly got her feet under the table and proved her worth; by the fourth week of the six-week traineeship programme, we offered her an apprenticeship interview. In fact, Lucy herself had already decided that she wasn’t going anywhere, and she got the apprenticeship placement, along with Becky.
Lucy’s Customer Services apprenticeship will equip her with all the skills she needs to engage with our (human) customers. They’re skills she’s already putting to good use on the shopfloor and when she acts as receptionist for our groom room.
The advice I would give to other employers? If the traditional interview process leaves you unconvinced by a candidate, consider giving them a chance through a traineeship. This longer spell of work experience – available to your business at no cost – gives you the opportunity to really get to know whether a candidate is suitable for an apprenticeship or employment. It means nervous candidates get the opportunity to shine, and that you don’t lose out on someone who could turn out to be a real asset to your team.
As Lucy started to open up and trust us, we discovered why she had been so guarded at interview. She had been hiding the fact that she was homeless (in effect, sofa surfing at her sister’s). An added and very stressful complication that no young person needs in their lives. We’ve helped Lucy apply for housing, and whilst that’s been a long process, we’re delighted she’s about to move into her new home.
It’s hard to imagine that this once so painfully shy girl is now such a vocal and energetic part of the team. So much so, she’d like to add her own message,
“Each team member has helped me so much over the past eight months and has taught me so much. My life has turned around, and I have my traineeship and the team at Stan’s Pals to thank”.
Thank you, Lucy, for all that you bring to our business!”
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