Meet The Apprentices …..
Published 23 Jan 2020
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uploaded by Chris Dodds - Sales & Marketing Manager with Thorne & Derrick International
Thorne & Derrick International, based in the North East of England, are enthusiastic supporters of Apprenticeships and work closely with Northern Skills Group to recruit new and next generation staff into the business for integration into our future growth strategy.
The structured training programmes provided by Northern Skills Group give the Apprentice a chance to enter the workplace while working towards a recognised qualification – to gain, then develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen career in a competitive jobs market.
It’s a fact getting into employment earlier means there is increased potential for quick career progression.
Gaining work experience increases employability and strengthens their CV.
This powerful combination of classroom learning and workplace experience nurtures a broader skill-set: developing people skills, problem solving skills and technical skills.
Stephanie Coleman, Director of Business Developments and Partnerships at Northern Skills Group is thrilled by the company’s commitment to apprenticeships, she said:
“Thorne and Derrick are a great example of how apprenticeships can really benefit businesses and help train the workforce of tomorrow, we’re passionate about aligning our offering to the skills needed out in industry and it’s great to see apprentices succeed and make a real difference.”
Meet the Thorne & Derrick Apprentices – Morgan, Carl, Thomas and Megan…..
Morgan Gent
Apprenticeship Programme – Customer Service
Step Up. And Up…
Morgan originally started his career journey with us 2 years ago serving a Customer Service Apprenticeship and has now progressed to Internal Sales Engineer providing valuable support to our business and customers.
Morgan proficiently oversees the specification and sale of technical products for use in explosive atmospheres and hazardous area industries.
Why did you choose to study an apprenticeship?
I chose to study an apprenticeship as an alternative to continuing with my University studies to enable me to get into work and gain valuable experience I would not have gained otherwise at University.
What do you enjoy most about your apprenticeship and how does it compare to traditional study?
I enjoyed my apprenticeship as it allowed me to gain valuable workplace experience within the real world and taught me skills that I may not have otherwise learnt or got to improve via University. Apprenticeship programmes have enabled me to work full time along traditional studying to pass my qualification which has meant I have had to make no decisions between one or the other.
What would you like to do after your apprenticeship?
I completed my apprenticeship in March 2019 and proceeded to move to a full time position at Thorne & Derrick.
How have you found the support from Northern Skills Group during your apprenticeship?
My tutor Amanda was great throughout my entire apprenticeship from start to finish. She laid on additional visits to my workplace to support me when things got difficult and helped me to complete my apprenticeship programme, gain my qualification and receive a full time position at Thorne & Derrick.
Carl Cox
Apprenticeship Programme – Customer Service
Career Searching…
Why did you choose to study an apprenticeship?
I chose to do an apprenticeship because I am looking for a career and I believe an apprenticeship provides the best opportunity for this due to the support provided. I learn at my best by putting theory into practice, and an apprenticeship includes doing both therefore by the end of the apprenticeship I will be comfortable to do the job independently which is my end goal.
What do you enjoy most about your apprenticeship and how does it compare to traditional study?
Slightly more laid back and puts me in a position to be independent of my own work load, enforced by use of Smart Assessor where I can track progress on assignments.
What would you like to do after your apprenticeship?
To go full time at Thorne and Derrick and pursue a career as a Sales Engineer.
Thomas Heron
Apprenticeship Programme – Customer Service (Sales Engineer)
Earning While Learning….
Why did you choose to study an apprenticeship?
The reason I chose to study an apprenticeship is I can learn whilst starting a new a career. I receive off and on the job training and attend college fortnightly.
What do you enjoy most about your apprenticeship and how does it compare to traditional study?
The one thing I enjoy the most about my apprenticeship is the full time employment of Monday to Friday. It is more beneficial than traditional study as means you start working at an earlier age than some might.
What would you like to do after your apprenticeship?
After I have completed my apprenticeship I hope to continue my career within the industry.
How have you found the support from Northern Skills Group during your apprenticeship?
The support from Northern Skills has been excellent and very helpful.
Megan Atkinson
Digital Marketing Apprenticeship
“It is the best decision I have made”
I chose to study an apprenticeship as I am ambitious and wanted the opportunity to develop my skills into a professional career. Having previously experienced various forms of study and part-time jobs, none of which have advanced further, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and enter into an apprenticeship. It is the best decision I have made. What I enjoy the most about my apprenticeship is my supportive colleagues and the ability to be myself.
I love my role because everyday I get to do what I enjoy, and a lot of the work entails my personal hobbies. I have learned that apprenticeships are flexible and are great for someone who wants to combine a full-time role with study and continuously develop new skills.
My job is full of amazing opportunities and I feel that I am in the right place to grow my career – something which I feel does not compare to traditional study. The hands-on experience to support my studies is a fantastic aspect of my apprenticeship and helps me to learn and grow both professionally and as a person.
After my apprenticeship I hope to advance into a higher-level course while staying on in employment with my company. I thoroughly enjoy my role and the day to day variety of tasks and I am excited to grow with the company and progress in my Marketing career.
I have found Northern Skills to be very supportive with my apprenticeship through mentor visits and flexible learning time. The continuous support is unbeatable. #BlazeATrail.
Northern Skills Group
Northern Skills Group is an expert provider of apprenticeships, employer-led training and retraining and works with over 2000 businesses in the North East and Yorkshire. Their specialist team of industry trained experts deliver courses across the North including Newcastle, Gateshead, Middlesbrough and North Yorkshire as well as dentistry apprenticeship programmes in York. NSG offer an extensive range of courses and programmes including engineering, dentistry, accountancy, electrical, leadership and management, customer service, manufacturing and many more.