06.12.2023
Our IT support manager, Sara Grahame, has worked with several apprentices over the past few years. She shares her experience of mentoring apprentices at the PPF, and the value apprenticeships bring for individuals, managers, and the wider team.
Supporting people to enter the IT profession
Starting a career in IT can be hard. You often need experience to get a job, but you also can’t get experience without having a job, which is a significant barrier for people looking to get into the industry.
With apprenticeships we can employ people who don’t have a lot of prior knowledge of IT, but have a desire and aptitude to learn. We can give them the knowledge and experience they need to start a career they are really passionate about.
Supporting apprentices' professional development
Our apprentices are treated as any other member of our team. They have regular 1 to 1’s, are invited to all team meetings, and we also give them the opportunity to come to other meetings we attend to give them a taste of what we do.
The apprentices learn on the job with the team for four days a week, and then have one day per week studying.
As our apprentices gain confidence and knowledge we increase their responsibilities over time. Our aim is that by the end of their apprenticeship, they have all the skills necessary to work in the service delivery sphere, either in the PPF or with another employer.
Apprentices’ positive impact on the team
Not only do the apprentices learn while they are with us, it also gives other members of the team the opportunity to mentor and teach, helping them develop in their roles too.
Sometimes members of the team find out they are natural teachers, so they’re also learning things about themselves. Naturally, apprentices ask questions about processes and how things are done, which is great for continuous improvement, as it makes the rest of the team think about smarter, easier, and better ways to work.
Supporting my growth as a manager
Since working with apprentices, I’ve gained a better understanding of apprenticeships more generally. Before I started at the PPF, I thought all apprentices were all fresh out of school or college, but I've learned that age and experience doesn’t matter and anyone can do them.
As a manager, I believe working with apprentices has made me more considerate of my team’s needs. Without a new person to teach, you can forget what it’s like starting at square one. It’s also a great reminder that not everyone is at the same level, which makes me more aware of the different needs in the team.
Advice for people thinking of offering apprenticeship opportunities
If you have the opportunity to offer an apprenticeship, do it. Watching someone grow into a role is very rewarding. You give someone the chance to learn new skills and change career direction, which isn’t always easy, and it gives your team the opportunity to learn too.
I really enjoy seeing someone at the very start of their IT career grow into a knowledgeable member of the team. It’s a great feeling to give someone the start in IT that they’ve been looking for.
