Welsh Government Apprenticeship means to me it’s an opportunity to gain hands on experience
in a working environment.
I wanted to work in an organisation where it promoted change and where something I would
do, would be taken seriously.
I’ve learnt so much since being here.
For the past year I have learnt so many new skills.
I’ve worked with different people, I’ve been to events all around Wales.
I was not cut out for Uni.
Like I’m not really good at studying and I found working in Welsh Government like I
had a chance of work and work with many different types of people.
Means a chance of a career.
Good training opportunities and plenty of personal development.
I think it’s helped me gain experience of working with all different kinds of people
and ages.
From a HR perspective, it’s a benefit to the organisation that we will be bringing
in fresh faces from a variety of different backgrounds.
I wasn’t expecting as many opportunities as I’ve been given.
We got to do a lot of fun things, like doing the charity fundraiser and I’ve got to work
across like lots of teams.
I’ve got a lot of experience.
I’ve had a chance to work with a few of the Ministers and gained different types of
office skills that I necessarily wouldn’t have gained outside.
When you’re dealing with customers constantly throughout the day in the week you become
a lot more confident dealing with all your problems outside of work as well.
On the first day when I got here we were given a buddy and I could turn to that person whether
it’s for help or whether to go for lunch with someone, which you’re not on your own.
I didn’t expect you know to grow a network of friends and different teams you work with
and you find that you help some people and when you need a hand they will come back and
help you then.
But it’s benefitting me by allowing me to further develop my career options.
Me being a role model to my children as well, I’m hoping this will benefit them in the
long run by showing them that they can work hard and get to the same place I am.
The Welsh Government apprenticeship is different from what I was expecting because I’ve actually
been able to go out on site visits to participate on fieldwork as well as working in the office
and I found that really beneficial and it’s been a positive experience.
I’ve gained practical and relevant experience to build up my cv and earning a salary at
the same time means that I don’t have any debt that I would have if I went to University.
Well, for us having an apprentice has benefitted the department by allowing someone with a
fresh perspective to come in, join the team and generate lots of new ideas.
From this apprenticeship I’ve actually gained an NVQ Level 2 which is not something that
I thought I was going to get, so it’s a plus really.
I’ve really developed as a person.
My life is different from the other apprentices because I’ve got some caring responsibilities
for my mum, so my Manager’s been really flexible and understanding.
I’ve got parental responsibilities.
The best thing about this job at the moment is the fact that I get the time to pick my
children up from school.
I feel like I can really put my skills to the test now and feel everything I do is valued.
The advice I would give to anyone applying for the Welsh Government Apprenticeship is
to apply with an open mind and to take on any opportunities given to you.
Just apply.
It was the best, most important decision I made.
I just tell them to do it.
Just to apply, you’ve got nothing to lose.