What first interested you in joining Canal & River Trust?
I was searching for an apprenticeship after completing sixth form and I came across the Canal & River Trust. After researching about the Trust and the vast amount of responsibilities across the waterways it has and in my local area, I saw this apprenticeship as a great opportunity to join.
What did you enjoy most about your apprenticeship?
Being an Apprentice PA to the Chief Operating Officers PA meant that I was in a great position within the Trust to work with a wide range of people across many Directorates, which I really enjoyed and learned a lot from.
As well as this, anyone that I worked with or spoke with was a genuinely kind, open and always willing to help.
How were you supported by the Trust during your apprenticeship?
I had a great Line Manager, Early Careers Specialist and Assessor from Walsall College, as well as all the other colleagues I worked with during my apprenticeship. They guided, supported and helped me whenever I was unsure of something, needed assistance and feedback to improve on my work or development.
How did you make the jump from apprentice to your current role?
As a PA Apprentice, I worked with my now current Line Manager on a few different work responsibilities, we always got along really well, and he supported me a good deal during my apprenticeship.
The Early Careers Specialist, old and new line managers worked collaboratively to create a new role for me based on what I asked for. This was a teamworking role in a projects team, working preferably for my now current line manager and that's exactly what happened! I am now a Project Coordinator in the Projects and Operational Standards Team.
Where do you think you would be now and what would you be doing if you weren't at the Trust?
I would either still be working as a barista in my local café or I would've hopefully joined another business apprenticeship like this one.
What advice would you give for someone looking to start an apprenticeship with the Trust?
Be honest, have lots of questions and be a genuine person who's looking to develop themselves.
