Unlocking potential: First Steps Friday

What was your favourite thing about your programme?

My favourite thing about my Level 4 apprenticeship was being able to practice my subject within my day-to-day role with the business. There was a real correlation between what I learnt in classes and what I was doing at work. This enabled me to gain further understanding and learn much quicker.

What was the best thing you have learnt during your apprenticeship?

The best thing I have learnt within my apprenticeship is my own confidence. Being able to study a curriculum so close to what I do in my day-to-day role enabled me to be reassured I was correct in processes I completed at work.

What is the most important skill you have learnt during your apprenticeship and will continue to use throughout your career?

One of the most important skills I have learnt is time management. Studying alongside a full time job is not easy but it also helped me eradicate bad habits such as procrastination. During my course I learnt that meeting deadlines and revising for exams is the key to success.

How are you using your apprenticeship in your day-to-day role?

I am able to demonstrate a variety of skills and apply my knowledge to my day-to-day role every. From interpreting financial data to communicating with my team.

Why should others complete this course?

I am a true believer that ‘practice makes perfect’. When studying as an apprentice you can apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt into a live, real world environment.

What made you choose this apprenticeship at SOCOTEC?

The people. From my first interview I felt at ease and have felt part of the team ever since. At Socotec you are surrounded by people who are always looking for you and will present with opportunities to develop.

What are your long-term career goals and how will your current programme help you to achieve this?

My long-term career goals is to become a chartered accountant. My apprenticeship programme enabled me to not only gain experience within the field, which is required to become chartered, but has also given me the ground knowledge which has given me 4 exemptions in my course to become chartered.

Random fact about me:

I was the 3^rd SOCOTEC Academy apprentice!

What is your favourite thing about your programme?

My favourite things about my programme are my supportive manager, team members and remote working because it saves me so much time to organise my learnings and work life better.

What is the best thing you have learnt during your apprenticeship so far?

Confidence, that no question is a dumb question and very useful technical skills I have developed, for example SQL.

What is the most important skill you have learnt during your apprenticeship and will continue to use throughout your career?

Professionalism, soft skills are just as important as your other skills. Good positive attitude, respect and good communication. Also improved problem solving skills, being able to think outside the box when needed.

How are you using your apprenticeship in your day-to-day role?

By keeping my learnings as relatable as possible to the work I do on daily basis. I am improving my problem-solving skills by coming up solutions to tickets I am working on daily.

Why should others complete this course?

If you have passion for software this is a great course. Brought stability in my life, where I can learn and earn at the same time. Helped me gaining confidence, professional experience and understand how companies work. I have improved my personal brand during this course because it has so much to offer.

What made you choose this apprenticeship at SOCOTEC?

I had a really bad experience in the past with the team I worked with in my last IT job. When I first met Graham and Mike on my first day of interview, I felt their kindness and how invested they were from asking me questions to answering my questions. I was ready to learn from a long time, I love being a developer, however I was lacking valuable guidance and professionalism which I felt I could get it from working at SOCOTEC. Even today, after 9 months I think it is the best thing ever happened to me in my career.

What are your long-term career goals and how will your current programme help you to achieve this?

My long-term career goals are being a confident Software developer. I will continue to invest my time into learning new skills to improve my personal brand and technical skills. Continue to be better than I was yesterday.

Random facts about me:

Going Gym is another big part of my life, I watch anime, I do fashion influencing.

What is your favourite thing about your programme?

Within my apprenticeship programme I am able to have a wide range of experience in a majority of labs and have access in learning new methods which really benefits me on having more of an understanding of SOCOTECS’ services that we provide. It also gives me time to think about future prospect on what I’d like to do once my apprenticeship is over.

What is the best thing you have learnt during your apprenticeship so far?

The best thing I’ve learnt so far is how SOCOTEC wants to reduce our environmental footprint (as this is a major concern globally) in which striving towards having the newest low-carbon solutions such as investing in low energy technologies and optimising the energy performance of its buildings.

What is the most important skill you have learnt during your apprenticeship and will continue to use throughout your career?

A pivotal skill I have learnt during my time at SOCOTEC is how having good laboratory practice benefits testing and preparations. With having this skill, it enables testing and results to be more efficient and this helps to engage more clients. By having good laboratory skills, it comes with many key factors of good time management, cleanliness, health and safety awareness and these factors are used daily to endeavour a strong reputation for the company.

Why should others complete this course?

Others should really consider completing this course as it gives you a lot of experience within labs and around people with the same interest of environmental science. The course itself gives you great autonomy and self-reliance but at the same time the skill of productivity and daily tasks to complete.

What are your long-term career goals and how will your current programme help you to achieve this?

After the completion of my apprenticeship, I have many options open on what I decide to do career wise. I have an interest in specialising in complex analysis work but at the same time I’d like to develop my career with becoming a science technician here at SOCOTEC.

Random facts about me:

My favourite artist is Siouxsie and the Banshees.