Why choose an apprenticeship?

Gemma explains why apprenticeships are the way forward

Summary: Business Administration Apprentice, Gemma, from Bedhampton, explains why apprenticeships are the way forward for young people in Portsmouth.

What made you choose an apprenticeship?

I chose an apprenticeship because it gave me the opportunity to train and earn at the same time. I knew I didn’t want to continue studying full time at university and was very eager to get into the workplace and build up my work experience instead.

What’s the best part of your job and being an apprentice?

I feel proud of all the valuable skills and experience I gained throughout my apprenticeship. This lead to me getting a new job as an Accounts Assistant shortly after my apprenticeship had finished. I now work for a company called Loadbalancer.org who are based in North Harbour. They are helping me to train in my chosen field of Accountancy and said that I was picked for the position over the other candidates because of the previous experience I had that I could bring to the job role.

My favourite thing about being an apprentice was the variety of work I was given. This enabled me to gain skills and knowledge in different areas of the business and helped me to decide which field I wanted to go into.

After winning the PETA Apprentice of the Year - Best in Class for Business Award in 2017, I went on to win the GTA England Apprentice of the Year National Award for Business Services in March 2018 which is my greatest achievement. I was so surprised to even be selected as one of four finalists out of 12,500 business apprentices. As a year 1 Apprentice, to be a finalist in the GTA England Apprentice of the Year Awards was such a great opportunity. Not only being able to attend the awards ceremony but actually winning an award was wonderful and something I will never forget.

Would you recommend apprenticeships and if so why?

I would definitely recommend apprenticeships because they give you such valuable experience that you can take into any workplace. After college, I was unsure of what I wanted to do and my apprenticeship gave me the chance to work in all different areas of the business and helped me to decide which field I wanted to go into.

I am currently training to be an Accountant. I have just completed the AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting (level 3) and will be starting level 4 in September.