National Apprenticeship Week kicks off on Monday 6 February 2023.
It is an annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships, showcasing the brilliant impact they can have on communities, local businesses, and regional economies.
This year’s theme is Skills for Life, and gives us the perfect opportunity at SPS to reflect on how apprenticeships are helping individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and for SPS to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.
Here at SPS, we are proud of our own apprentices. To celebrate and mark the occasion, we spoke to some of our team of apprentices to find out why they chose to do an apprenticeship and how they hope it will help shape their future. Take a moment to read their stories.
Ashleigh Broom
HR Apprentice
Why did you want to do an apprenticeship?
Learning on the job suits me better than classroom based learning and progressing onto university just wasn’t something that I felt was right for me. I think being able to learn a range of new skills from people I can work alongside is really beneficial. Also, gaining real life experience will boost my confidence within the workplace.
Why did you choose SPS?
I was aware of how instrumental SPS are in the HPC project and before applying for the role, I did some research on the website of the SPS values and what the company is working towards. The values resonated with me and also the opportunity for career progression within the role.
What did you do before your apprenticeship at SPS?
I attended college and was doing a level 3 course, however I felt as though this wasn’t something that I wanted to pursue further in the future and had a change in what career path I’d like to take.
What has been the highlight so far of your apprenticeship at SPS?
The highlight of my apprenticeship so far has been working with an amazing team of people who have been welcoming and supportive from the start and helped me massively.
Also being able to achieve new skills that I never would have been able to do, such as having the confidence to call our new inductees and understanding the many systems we use at SPS. I really enjoy how everyday at SPS is different and I am constantly building up my knowledge.
How do you think the apprenticeship will help you in the future?
It will help me to have the knowledge and skills to be able to progress further into a career in business administration and potentially specialise in a certain area and find what I’m best at. It will also give me real life work experience.
Louis Cursio
Commercial Apprentice
Why did you want to do an apprenticeship?
I think an Apprenticeship is the perfect way to learn and is the future of academia. You learn on two fronts, as a student and as an employee, plus you get the added bonus of earning whilst you learn. All are reasons that enticed me to apply for an opportunity like this rather than a traditional degree.
Why did you choose SPS?
At SPS, there is a friendly and hardworking culture that makes everyone feel welcome. For me one of the biggest forms of appraisal is seeing what I learn in university apply to my every day work and then seeing that work positively affect the business. SPS is amazing at giving its employees tasks that will make a difference, no matter what level you are at in the business, you and your work is always appreciated.
Furthermore, the prospect of working with the HPC Nuclear is exciting, helping provide cleaner emissions for Briton, helping save our planet little by little.
What did you do before your apprenticeship at SPS?
Before working for SPS, I was working in a shop in Wales as part time staff and later as a supervisor. I was doing this alongside the Extended National Business Diplomacy.
What has been the highlight so far of your apprenticeship at SPS?
The highlight so far has been working in the communications department, this has allowed me to utilise and further develop my creative skills and in part has allowed me to fulfil one of my passions – marketing.
How do you think the apprenticeship will help you in the future?
I think the apprenticeship will help me decide on what aspect of business I would like my career to be based on. Furthermore, working with SPS will help morph me into the person I will be in my personal and work life. It will also help develop my work experience and improve my CV for any different roles or future positions that may become available to me, within SPS or externally.
Courtney Cook
Completed Business Administration Apprenticeship Jan 2023
Why did you want to do an apprenticeship?
Because it’s a great opportunity to be within a role you want to do, whilst also learning as you go. Without being based in a classroom, you will receive a qualification and experience at the same time.
Why did you choose SPS?
It’s a great place to work up and be where you want to be, whilst also learning.
What did you do before your apprenticeship at SPS?
Before my apprenticeship I worked at Starbucks, which was great, but I didn’t think there would be much of a career by staying there. I want to better myself and SPS is a great way to do so.
What was the highlight of your apprenticeship at SPS?
My highlight of my apprenticeship will be all the staff I worked alongside, everyday is different and that’s what makes the role interesting. I feel like you are pushed out of your comfort zone which is what you need to progress. For example, I dont like presentations, yet with help from my team I am now overcoming my fear of having to do them which is a massive step for me.
How do you think the apprenticeship will help you in the future?
It isn’t just helping me gain my knowledge and experience of HR but it’s also preparing me for life outside of work e.g., confidence when socialising, pushing myself to get the goal I want to achieve.
Apprenticeships at SPS
Our apprenticeship programme is hugely successful and our apprentices play a very important role at SPS.
We are committed to our aim of leaving a lasting legacy by providing training and employment opportunities in our local community.
Working with Bridgwater & Taunton College and EDF, we fully support our apprentices to build their careers by advancing their skills and professional learning and giving them the inspiration to make a big difference.
We offer a range of apprenticeships from support roles, to driving to managerial. With commitment and hard work, the sky really is the limit.
For any enquiries about this article, please email emma.warr@spsbus.co.uk