Our Apprentice Case Study!

Meet Doug. He's our Apprentice currently working towards his NVQ Level 2 Business Administration

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION APPRENTICE

Name: Doug Lovatt

Age: 20

Qualification:  NVQ level 2 Business Administration

What do you do?

I work within the Telford & Wrekin Music service as a Business Administration Apprentice. I complete a variety of activities including basic administration, instrument maintenances, helpdesk support and database maintenance. I maintain the Music Services inventory recording the whereabouts of our instruments; this includes co-ordination of replacements/fixtures whilst ensuring our electronic database remains up to date. .

I assist my team where possible to relieve workload for my colleagues creating an improved work flow.

Why did you apply for the apprenticeship?

I applied for this apprenticeship for two reasons really; the first being that the environment in which I would be working suited my interest and college studies where I completed music performance and music technology/production course and a theatre production course.

The second was that I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do as a career. This apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to gain qualifications and essential experience. The apprenticeship also gave me the opportunity to build contacts and gain improved business professionalism, overall helping ascertain next steps once the apprenticeship finished.

What did you do before the apprenticeship?

I was on job seekers allowance however also volunteered at a charity shop in Wellington called “Shelter”, after two months I gained a position on a McDonalds training course as directed by the Job Centre. I passed the course and was offered a job. I worked there for four months and then left when I successfully gained this apprenticeship.

What have you achieved through the apprenticeship?

Whilst in this post I have developed my confidence. When I started I felt hesitant when answering phone calls in case I didn’t have the appropriate knowledge to support our customers but as I continued to develop within the role working I have gained knowledge thus improving my interpersonal skills. I feel confident in giving advice to both Customers and colleges, even if I do still trip over my words occasionally!

I have offered additional casual work to help assist with other projects, the biggest of which was helping set up a one-day festival in the town park, this took all week to set up which was hard work but well worth it, even if I only helped set up a few things and then stewarded the event, it still felt like a great achievement.

What have you learnt?

I have learnt a lot over the term of my apprenticeship so far, and I’m still learning. One thing I have learnt is what it’s actually like to have a full time job, that might sound like something you don’t have to learn but coming from college and part time jobs where I was only in for a few hours a day or not in at all to working 37 hours a week, it can be a little bit jarring to start off with, especially to sleep schedules.

I have developed my IT and communication skill and learnt how to utilize the databases, manage colleague’s diaries and inventory control. These are great transferable skills which will mean my prospects of attaining another job at the end of this apprenticeship are higher.

I have also learnt the slight difference between a violin bow and a viola bow....

Do you enjoy the Art world of work? If so why?

I do enjoy the arts, I get to work in an environment based around things I have had interest in, instruments are interesting to me and I have loved having the chance to learn more about them and handle them. I can appreciate all types of music and I have enjoyed being part of the team giving children the opportunity to play instruments, whether that is year 1 student’s just learning basic rhythm in whole class drum sessions or seeing older students progress with cello lessons. It is rewarding to see the service provide something as fun as music to such a wide array of pupils.

What would you like to do after this?

I want to be able to find myself in a career that I enjoy, something that is fun and interests me so that I never wake up in the morning lacking enthusiasm. At the moment I am unsure of what this could be, I am interested in being able to edit video so that may be something I look into at some point. It may turn out that by the end of my apprenticeship I will want another role in a similar scenario but only time will tell.