By enhancing and diversifying our apprentice scheme and with increased interest from our people, we aim to grow apprenticeship numbers by 25%. As well as engineering apprenticeships, employees of all ages and functions across the business, can gain a qualification and sound theoretical knowledge to support their work in roles such as Project Management, Data Analysis, Accounting and Business administration.
I really enjoy my course and it helps that my tutor can be flexible to fit in with work, plus I know I can always email or call for assistance. I have been able to develop my skills while still performing my job. I have gained insight into how to communicate effectively, make considered and informed decisions. I hope to move onto the company’s internal management development training program, with a view to becoming a Contract Manager.
Where do you work now / my current job is as the: Contract Support on the Wells Fargo Account.
When I left school I? I wanted to work in the music industry as I am a semi-pro classical musician.
What was your first job? Organising a music festival in Scotland.
What role or roles have you held? Event organiser, Freelance Stage Manager, Office Assistant, Helpdesk, PPM coordinator, Contract Support.
How did you get into the industry / what attracted you to the industry? A few years ago, I was made redundant from a contemporary music publisher but part of my job was to look after tenants and I loved helping arrange floor renovations etc so decided to undertake temporary work in FM whilst I looked for a permanent role. The rest is history…
How long have you been with Integral? My 1st stint around 7 months and my 2nd stint I’m coming up to 2 years.
Did you have any training or qualifications prior to starting the apprenticeship that are relevant to your role? I have a Music Management & Live Production Business Degree and before returning to Integral I wanted to enhance my understanding of FM and self-funded some courses to do this: IOSH Managing Safely, COSHH Awareness, Fire Warden, Legionella & Legionnaires Disease Awareness, Manual Handling Awareness, Working at Height and Asbestos Awareness (Cat A). All of these have helped me through my apprenticeship to date as I am able to draw on experience, knowledge, skills, and theories to be able to deliver a first-class service to my studies and the contract.
How does your role/work get you fired up? What do you enjoy about it– what are you passionate about? I am very fortunate that on site we have a ‘One Team, Team’ mentality. My desk is on a client site and we sit with the FM team and other service leads. We all take time to chat and socialize inside and outside of work and during this pandemic it is these interactions that I have missed. I enjoy being able to make a difference which benefits all. Every day is different, some can be tough, whilst others a little less taxing, this unpredictability keeps me engaged. A happy team is a productive team, and this is something I like to promote and encourage. Sometimes a very small token or gesture of appreciation goes a long way and I love being able to celebrate, share and be on hand for the team.
What do you think the benefits of the apprenticeship model are? I think it enables one to grow as a person, whilst giving confidence that the company has seen potential and that they want to invest and grow with you.
Many people assume apprenticeships are just for teenagers – how do you think it works for those who are older? The apprenticeship I am on has allowed me the time to develop whilst still being able to undertake my job. This is something I wanted to do so I am more invested, it is not just a tick-box exercise but should help me to progress my career. I am more dedicated to wanting to understand and learn and am gaining the tools to be able to do this.
What does your apprenticeship consist of and how long will it take? I meet with my tutor once a month and it is a twelve-month course. When I don’t meet with my tutor, I have access to a portal where work is set every month. The work set is in the form of videos, presentations, handouts etc and there are activities to complete. Every so often I prepare a project and due to the pandemic, I present this to my tutor via Teams.
How are you finding the course so far and the learning methods and support? How has it helped you in your day to work? I really enjoy my course and it helps that my tutor can be flexible to fit in with my job, only last month I had to rearrange at the last minute due to a client meeting being added to my diary. My tutor is very helpful and supportive and if I do get stuck or have a question, I know I can always email or call for assiatcnace. It has been different to undertake remote study; however, technology has enabled this to proceed. I think the course has given insight into how to communicate effectively and day to day I try to incorporate this. I am more aware of the impact I can have on others and objectively take time where needed to make considered and informed decisions.
Has anything surprised you? How quickly to date time has passed. I’m in month 7 and yet it only feels like yesterday I started.
What are your career ambitions/aspirations -how do you hope this apprenticeship will help you ‘build the future’ for yourself and Integral? I am lucky that there have already been discussions around next steps for me, and I believe the next step will be the company’s internal management and development training program with a view to becoming a Contract Manager.
What would you say to anyone considering an apprenticeship? Investigate and sit down with your manager to discuss options available and the best start date. Demands on time can always be difficult, but this is an opportunity that can further your aspirations, go for it!
I soon got to grips with the course and the workshops were always good, but when Covid hit, everything moved online. Your Development coach is very supportive and there are great learning tools. You do need to give up some of you own time, but with patience and hard work it is well worth it and a massive achievement. I would now like to take the next step in my career as an Accounts or Operations Manager.
Where do you work now / my current job is: Contract delivery manager JLL Managed Service’s (PAM Contract).
When I left school I? had 2 jobs to choose from National Westminster Bank in their Stocks and Shares department and becoming an Apprentice electrician, I listened to my brother for some reason and became an electrician.
What was your first job? Helping my Mum and dad on their Fruit and veg shop unpaid, 1st paid job paper round (Bristol Evening Post).
What role or roles have you held? Roles with integral Contract manager and Contract delivery manager.
How did you get into the industry / what attracted you to the industry? My brother was an engineer and he guided me to become an electrician, he said once you have a trade no one can take it away from you and its always there to full back on.
How long have you been with Integral? 4 Years in February 2021.
Did you have any training or qualifications prior to starting the apprenticeship that are relevant to your role? I had completed one day basis leadership courses with my previous employer but nothing as complex as the Level 5.
How does your role/work get you fired up? What do you enjoy about it– what are you passionate about? What gets me fired up it being able to do a good job for my client, this isn’t always possible which is frustrating but that’s life, not everything is straight forward. What am I passionate about, besides my Wife and family doing my job to the best of my ability and giving 100% all of the time.
What do you think the benefits of the apprenticeship model are? Great learning tools, it helped me tie my existing knowledge and experience together and will hopefully aid in future promotions.
Many people assume apprenticeships are just for teenagers – how do you think it works for those who are older? This really depends on the person, whilst we were given time within our working week to help complete, you do need to give up some of you own time. Some people struggle with this and the motivation as you get older, take nothing away learning as you get older is harder in my opinion but it really is down to how much you want the qualification how well it works for you.
What does your apprenticeship consist of and how long will it take? The apprentice I have just completed consisted of workshops, online learning, research, plenty of reading and writing, professional discussions and yes EXAMS, this was completed over a 20 month period but can be completed in 18 months.
How are you finding the course so far and the learning methods and support? How has it helped you in your day to work? I am very much a Kinaesthetic learner (Hands On) so whilst at the beginning I did struggle with all the new material, I soon got to grip with the course and the workshops were always great. When COVID hit us, everything went online, this element I personally struggled with, but I know others found it perfect. Support was great, you get your own Development coach and they are always there for you.
Has anything surprised you? The thing that really surprised me was the amount of different leadership styles, you never heard them spoken about outside of the class by their name, but the theory is there in how something is delivered.
What are your career ambitions/aspirations -how do you hope this apprenticeship will help you ‘build the future’ for yourself and Integral? Now having completed the apprenticeship and with my relevant experience I would now like to take the next step in my career as an accounts Manager or Operations Manager.
What would you say to anyone considering an apprenticeship? DO IT, whilst they will take lots of your time, patients and hard work they are well worth and a massive achievement.
Prior to this I only had my A/C Refrigeration NVQ and experience gained from 13 years on the job. This been very helpful in my daily work, enabling me to deliver an improved service to our clients. Integral really do invest in their staff. Three years ago I was an engineer, since then I’ve had promotions and now have a degree behind me. So, if you want to learn a new skill or course then go for it!
Where do you work now / my current job is Contract Delivery Manager in the Private Sector.
When I left school I? Joined a company called MacWhirter Air Conditioning where I completed my NVQ Level 2 in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
What was your first job? Paper Boy.
What role or roles have you held? At Integral I have moved from A/C engineer, to Regional Supervisor, to Contract Manager and following the restructure to Contract Delivery Manager.
How did you get into the industry / what attracted you to the industry? When I left school I decided to learn a trade, my next-door neighbour asked at his work and I started the next week as an Air Conditioning apprentice. After a few years of working solely for an A/C Company I moved to an FM company and this is where I have stayed since.
How long have you been with Integral? 13 years this year.
Did you have any training or qualifications prior to starting the apprenticeship that are relevant to your role? Only my A/C Refrigeration NVQ and the experience gained over my time with Integral. A lot of knowledge was gained on the job and from learning from others.
How does your role/work get you fired up? What do you enjoy about it– what are you passionate about?. Working on the Bright Horizons Nurseries contract and having a child in nursery myself gives me a high understanding of the client’s requirements. I do all I can to deliver for my client, knowing that other parent’s pride and joy are in these buildings gives me the desire to ensure I do all I can to keep these buildings safe and comfortable for the children.
What do you think the benefits of the apprenticeship model are? The benefits of the apprenticeship model are quite simply the chance to progress and develop no matter what age you are or where you are in your career.
Many people assume apprenticeships are just for teenagers – how do you think it works for those who are older?. Completing a degree standard qualification 21 years after leaving school was fantastic for me. It shows that you can progress and develop no matter what age you are. The apprenticeship can work around your work and family commitments to ensure minimal stress for you and that the course is completed on time.
What does your apprenticeships consist of and how long will it take? My apprenticeship was around 18 months long. It consisted of bi – monthly workshops with other colleagues studying the qualification and monthly 1-1 meetings with a dedicated tutor. The business supported my learning and gave me adequate time to study during the working week which enabled me to stay on top of any coursework.
How are you finding the course so far and the learning methods and support? How has it helped you in your day to work? The course was challenging but well worth it. With the support of my tutor and the business I was able to complete the course on time. The course content has been very helpful in my day to day work, especially with building relationships with clients and colleagues throughout the business. The skills learnt will enable me to develop and deliver an improved service to our clients.
Has anything surprised you?
What are your career ambitions/aspirations -how do you hope this apprenticeship will help you ‘build the future’ for yourself and Integral? The qualification will enable me to grow and develop within the business. I’m always looking to improve, and personal development is high on my list of goals. This qualification will hopefully leave me in good stead for any future promotions that come about at Integral.
What would you say to anyone considering an apprenticeship? I would say ‘just go for it’ you are never to young to try and better yourself. Being at a company like Integral / JLL you know you have the support to grow and they really do invest in their staff. Three years ago, I was an engineer and although I was happy with this, I felt I wanted more. Three years later I’ve had a couple of promotions and now have a degree behind me. So, if you want to learn a new skill or course then go for it.
Anybody can learn as long as they have the desire to better themselves. It has been challenging at times, but the course has continued remotely without delay. The support of the Development Coach is key and I have a good rapport with mine which ensures I can deliver the assessment pieces. I have aspirations for upper management and beyond and the ILM Level 5 apprenticeship will give me this opportunity.
Where do you work now / my current job is: Greater & Royal London portfolios – Contract Delivery Manager.
When I left school I? Worked odd jobs and tried different course work.
What was your first job? McDonald’s kitchen hand.
What role or roles have you held? In the UK, Mobile Engineer to Portfolio Supervisor to now my current role.
How did you get into the industry / what attracted you to the industry? I did my electrical apprenticeship in Australia initially, a lot of my school friends had moved into this trade which made it appealing to pursue at that time.
How long have you been with Integral? 4 years in May.
Did you have any training or qualifications prior to starting the apprenticeship that are relevant to your role? IOSHH.
How does your role/work get you fired up? What do you enjoy about it– what are you passionate about? I like to see problems solved, knots untied and I also want to see those under my direction succeed and be recognized for it.
What do you think the benefits of the apprenticeship model are? It allows expansion of skill set and an opportunity to translate real world management scenarios into the work place and vice versa.
Many people assume apprenticeships are just for teenagers – how do you think it works for those who are older? This stereotype is misleading as anybody can learn at any age as long as they have the desire.
What does your apprenticeship consist of and how long will it take? ILM Level 5 Operational Management over the course of 1.5 years approximately.
How are you finding the course so far and the learning methods and support? How has it helped you in your day to work? It has been challenging at times, especially with my day job which is very demanding. The support of the Development Coach is key and I have a good rapport with mine which allows a good line of communication that ensures I can deliver the assessment pieces.
Has anything surprised you? The course has continued without delay, albeit remotely, despite the ongoing pandemic.
What are your career ambitions/aspirations -how do you hope this apprenticeship will help you ‘build the future’ for yourself and Integral? I have aspirations for upper management and beyond and the exercises, assessments and models that are taught and learnt about during the ILM Level 5 are catered for this further advancement.
What would you say to anyone considering an apprenticeship? If you have a definite career aim and purpose and desire to better yourself, which will likely take up your free time in the interim, then you should be considering any opportunities afforded to you such as an apprenticeship.
We have always been passionate about apprenticeships and their benefits. Apprentices are not only supporting our teams in delivering better outcomes for our business, but are also building their knowledge and our future, by bringing a fresh set of eyes and often challenging us to look at better ways of working.
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