Apprentice Nicole is a true team player
25 Mar 2015
The University has launched its 2015 apprenticeship campaign to encourage managers across the organisation to consider hiring apprentices when suitable vacancies arise and has set a target of at least 100 apprentices in post by the end of the year.
Here we talk to 21-year-old Nicole Burke, from Crumpsall, who has swapped a retail apprenticeship “stacking shelves in Tesco” for a University apprenticeship as an academic secretary in the School of Mechanical, Aeronautical and Civil Engineering (MACE).
The former Our Lady’s High School pupil, who has also attended college to take beautician classes while working part-time in a Casino in Salford, has been impressed by the amount of responsibility she has already been given in her position at the University.
She said: “I started sixth form at school but didn’t enjoy it and decided to take an apprenticeship in retail at Tesco. I did a bit of everything there, including stacking shelves, for nearly two years. I went back to college to do a make-up qualification but the shifts did not fit, so I decided to leave Tesco.”
It was at this point in her life that Nicole decided to look elsewhere for a career and came across the University’s apprenticeship scheme. She said: “I’m really enjoying working as an academic secretary in MACE. It’s very different to what I expected but better in lots of ways.
“I never thought I would be given so many responsibilities; I thought it would just involve general admin, like photocopying, but I do a lot of ordering and sort out travel, such as booking flights to Brazil. I’m really enjoying the job and never would have thought of applying for a job at the University, as from the outside you just think universities are about lecturers and students.”
Nicole, whose mum has just had another baby and whose dad is a caretaker at the local church, added: “My mum is really glad that I’m happy and doing well. It’s quite exciting working for a big organisation; I didn’t realise just how big it was.
“I’d be really pleased if the University kept me on, as I love my job. My manager, Sue, is great. I thought it would be weird being the youngest in the office but everyone I work with is really helpful and nice.”
Sue Davies, PA to the Head of School, said: “When the opportunity of taking on an apprentice arose I jumped at the chance. Having managed apprentices during previous employment I already knew just how valuable they can be to any work environment.
“Very often the introduction of an apprentice into a team can help invigorate other team members and makes you stop and think about the work of the team and its effectiveness. Invariably in my experience you get out what you put in and it’s vital that you try to challenge the apprentice and keep encouraging them by trusting them with more responsibility as their apprenticeship progresses.
“The addition of Nicole to the Academic Secretary team was just what was needed. Having only formed in January 2014 the team was still finding its feet and discovering how best we could support the work of the academics in the School.
“Nicole arrived full of enthusiasm and eager to learn. It’s been great to see her move on from initially learning basic tasks to being able to take on responsibility for a number of functions within the team. Watching her confidence in her own ability grow during her time with us was heart-warming and it’s a privilege to have played a part in what will hopefully be a long and successful career for her.”
- Anyone interested in learning more about the University’s apprenticeship campaign can contact Steve Grant, Assistant Director of HR, by emailing steven.e.grant@manchester.ac.uk