This week, it’s the 15th annual National Apprenticeship Week #NAW2022!
We’re celebrating by looking at:
- How apprenticeships work
- How they can benefit both an individual and a business
- Real-life examples of the team here at Grain; both someone currently doing a Grain apprenticeship and someone who completed one at the start of their career.
With ‘build the future’ being the #NAW2022 theme, it’s only right we recognise how these current and former apprentices are helping to deliver Grain’s future-proof full fibre broadband infrastructure to homes across the UK.
So, how does an apprenticeship work?
An apprenticeship is a qualification that you earn by studying alongside a job. Whether you’re just starting out in your career, want a change or would like to up-skill in your current role – an apprenticeship could be for you!
How do apprenticeships benefit both individuals and businesses?
Apprenticeships can help individuals gain the necessary skills and knowledge to kickstart a career in their chosen field. Not only that, but apprenticeships also help businesses develop a talented and experienced team!
Meet Erin!
Erin, Grain’s 16-year-old Apprentice Accounting Assistant, left school in the summer of 2021 to join the team. As part of her apprenticeship, Erin began studying at Carlisle College alongside working in the Accounts team and is now studying for her level 3 qualification.
As part of her position here at Grain, Erin is currently working within the sales ledger part of the Accounts team, looking at revenue, helping with the day-to-day tasks of the department and learning how the business works. As this is a career path not often mentioned throughout school, Erin is doing well to learn everything from scratch and we’re confident her ambition will take her far as part of the Grain family.
“Although I loved school, I decided to leave and become an apprentice as I’ve always preferred the idea of working and the independence that comes with it. I originally looked for an Admin Apprenticeship, as I thought I was too young to get into Accounts straight away. However, I seen the opportunity to join Grain and jumped at the chance. As a rapidly growing company, I think my apprenticeship with Grain will open a lot of doors for me.
I’m surprised the apprenticeship route isn’t more common, as you get to work and earn money, all while your employer and the government fund your education. I would 100% recommend an apprenticeship to anybody who is confident with the career they have chosen, as it is essentially a head start in the career you would one day have anyway!”
Meet Eden!
Eden is a 24-year-old CAD Engineer for Grain. Eden took part in an apprenticeship with his former company, while studying Construction and the Built Environment with Cumbrian training organisation, Gen2.
As part of his current role, Eden is responsible for producing work drawings for the new areas we plan to bring our full fibre network and he liaises with live sites to ensure a seamless design to build process. It’s important these designs are efficient and allow us to connect as many homes as possible, so being able to foresee and deal with the real life issues that arise is a skill he accredits to his apprenticeship.
“I took part in a design apprenticeship for two years prior to joining Grain. I liked that my job was to learn and do at the same time, with a helpful support system to expand my knowledge and help with my academic work. Doing an apprenticeship gave me inside industry knowledge on the job, which is something you cannot learn from a textbook or slideshow.
I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to others wanting to kickstart their career in telecoms. This industry is fast-changing, so I think the only way to learn fully is by doing it yourself. With first-hand experience, you can better deal with the real issues that don’t happen in a classroom.”
Grain Connect are passionate about supporting people in the early stages of their careers, and are pleased to announce during National Apprenticeship Week that we are currently looking for apprentices to join our rapidly growing business. If you are looking to join a fast-paced, exciting company with development opportunities, why don’t you send your CV across to our recruitment team at recruitment@grainconnect.com, and take the first step to becoming a part of the great team at Grain Connect.
