Testimonials
Stephen Laing – Hairdressing Apprentice
Stephen started at Durham Business Club in September 2005 as a Hairdressing Apprentice and is making good progress towards completing in the summer.
Stephen, employed at The Room hair and beauty salon in Chester le Street town centre, is building up clients and starting to practice his cutting techniques and hopes to progress on the Hairdressing Advanced Apprenticeship. Stephen said he enjoys working with public and started his career in sales. He looked into how he could start a career in hairdressing and was told about Durham Business Club by another apprentice. He made enquiries at local hairdressing salons and found a salon willing to provide the practical training in hairdressing. Stephen’s tutor, Christine Bell Thompson, said “Stephen is making really good progress towards his qualification. He is very motivated and keen to learn and he should enjoy a successful career in hairdressing”.
Michael Phillips – Business Administration Apprentice
Company Director Ken Buckingham knew Michael Phillips was an ambitious character the first time they met.
For at his interview the 16-year-old school leaver had no hesitation in telling his potential boss he was aiming for his job.
“I found it rather funny,” said the Business Services Director with Elementis Pigments in Birtley: “But the way Michael has progressed I would not be surprised if he made it.”
Now, two yeas on and with Learning and Skills Council (LSC) support, the 18-year-old, from Pelaw, has completed an Apprenticeship in Business Administration and is hoping to go on to study for a foundation degree.
“Michael has become a real asset to this company,” added Ken: “And the training he has received has really helped him to make the best possible use of his skills. We would have no hesitation in supporting him to do more learning because the benefits to both him and the company are plain to see.”
With a decent set of GCSEs, Michael decided that although he wanted to continue to learn, he would rather do so in a work environment where he could also earn. He enrolled with the Durham Business Club which provided his training and found him the placement with Elementis - a company which makes pigments used in all kinds of manufacturing, from make-up to paving.
“I knew I could achieve more but wanted to get out into the world of work and support myself a bit,” said Michael: “It took me a few months to settle in and get to understand things but by then I knew this was something I could do well and I wanted to improve through training.”
“Now, instead of photocopying and stuffing things in envelopes, I’m looking after customers, processing orders, managing stock and dealing with imports and exports. Its varied and challenging but I love it.”
Chris Roberts, Regional Director at the LSC North East said: “Apprenticeships are a great way for a young person to gain experience in the workplace while adding further qualifications to their CV and getting paid. Michael is an excellent example of a young person who has built the foundations for a strong career as a result of working towards his Apprenticeship. This shows that apprenticeships are an excellent way to take those vital transitional steps into employment and that they can be used as a stepping stone to further learning opportunities.”
Apprenticeships offer businesses training for existing staff and new recruits in a wide range of areas. There are over 160 different courses offering relevant training designed by business for business.
Apprentices learn while they work, so their knowledge is up-to-date and because their training is on the job, the practical skills they gain are the ones that are right for business.