GRO W I NG FRO M WITHIN JA KE W I L S H AW DEVELOPING A CAREER IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT Jake started working with the Student Services team 3 years ago as a Customer Service apprentice. He is now the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Principal and enjoys playing a part in helping students to achieve. We asked him to tell us more about his journey from apprentice to full-time employee. He told us: EXPE R I E N CE A N D EXPE RT IS E M AT T E R N I CO L A C L A R KE EXPLAINS WHY INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE COUNTS Nicola, Director of Operations at Learning Unlimited, has worked in the engineering sector since leaving school. She now runs a team of people who deliver specialist engineering training to engineering employers accross the East Midlands. She told us why industry knowledge counts and why it is a good time to be a woman in engineering: " The apprenticeship made me feel like I was really developing the skills I needed and it. embedded me into the organisation. I knew after a couple of weeks I could see myself working here for a long time. I have never felt more supported. When I got the job in the Executive Support department I was still finishing my apprenticeship. It was challenging to learn the new job and finish assignments but college supported me all the way. My new role is a busy one and there is always a lot going on, but I really enjoy it. The college environment is a great place to work. You feel as if everyone is working towards the same goal here. It feels like a big family. I like being in a place that is making a difference to students. It puts a smile on my face when I see students celebrating on results days because I know my work has contributed to that in some way. " " The world needs engineers. It is so important to have specialists from industry training the next generation of engineers. It is wonderful to find people who have engineering knowledge and an aptitude for teaching. Employers value the fact that we are a team with specialist skills and the ability to teach in a classroom, a workshop or in a work-based environment. This isn't the easiest of jobs, but it is so rewarding. We are working with managers now who we first met when they were apprentices; they are now recruiting the next cohort of apprentices. We know we have done a good job when we see people succeed and want to help others to do the same. It is an exciting time for women in engineering. It makes me proud to see some of the employers we work with consciously set out to recruit 50% of women into their apprenticeship cohort. It feels good to be part of helping anyone with the aptitude to be an engineer start and develop their career. " INSPIRED AND WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE LATEST VACANCIES AND ALL THE BENEFITS OF WORKING AT THE CHESTERFIELD COLLEGE GROUP? VISIT CHESTERFIELD.AC.UK/WORKFORUS JC Autumn 2020 Chesterfield College.indd 3 01/12/2020 20:12https://www.chesterfield.ac.uk/workingforus/