National Apprenticeship Week 2024: Upskilling your workforce
Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to upskill current team members. Our very own Patrick and Dan, who joined Mindful Education in 2021, are doing just this through their studies with training provider JGA Group. I caught up with them to find out how their studies are going:
Patrick Belinga – Employer Engagement Executive
TT: Hi Patrick, please can you tell me a bit about your apprenticeship, and why you chose to do it?
PB: In my role in the Employer Engagement team here at Mindful Education, I focus on connecting with employers, and establish how Online and On Campus courses and apprenticeships can support their business and talent needs. I am currently studying the Level 4 Sales Executive apprenticeship.
“Working and studying at the same time means I can immediately apply my studies to real work situations.”
When I was presented with the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship I knew it would help with my understanding of different sales and engagement techniques, and how to better understand the customers perspective.
TT: Why do you think an apprenticeship is a great way to learn?
PB: I have already managed to pick up some selling techniques from my study materials that I can use in my conversations with employers. Working and studying at the same time means I can immediately apply my studies to real work situations.
TT: How do you think this apprenticeship will help you in your career ambitions?
PB: I feel that the knowledge, skills and techniques I’m currently learning will help me to take the next step up in my career, and that I can progress into a more managerial role.
Dan Defoe – Employer Engagement Executive
TT: Hi Dan, please can you tell me a bit about your apprenticeship, and why you chose to do it?
DD: I am currently studying for the Level 4 Sales Executive apprenticeship with the JGA Group. I think an apprenticeship is a great opportunity to invest in myself and my career, and learn skills that could help me with future conversations with the employers that I speak to on a daily basis.
TT: What do you think an apprenticeship is a great way to learn?
DD: It’s flexible, which means I study two afternoons a week. I have created a habit of structured learning which really helps with my work life balance!
My current sales experience has also provided me with a set of skills and knowledge which I can utilise in workshops and written assignments.
“I think an apprenticeship is a great opportunity to invest in myself and my career, and learn skills that could help me with future conversations with the employers that I speak to on a daily basis.”
TT: How do you think this apprenticeship will help you in your long-term career ambitions?
DD: I hope this apprenticeship will not only help me develop the skills I need to achieve my long-term career goals, but it will also improve my self-confidence when working in a sales environment. I believe that having my abilities recognised and awarded will give me the confidence and motivation to achieve my goals.
Patrick and Dan have grown considerably since joining the Employer Engagement team in 2021. They have shown dedication to learning about the apprenticeship industry and have built strong relationships with our employer partners. By doing this apprenticeship, I am confident that they will both progress further in their roles and will continue to thrive. I look forward to seeing their development over the course of their apprenticeship.
Katherine McKenna, Head of Employer Engagement
Tasmiyah works closely with our partner marketing teams to help them promote Online and On Campus courses and apprenticeships.
