For National Apprenticeship Week, we are celebrating apprenticeships and the value, benefit, and opportunity that they provide for all.
Apprenticeships are a great route into an industry of interest to you. They combine practical on-the-job training with off-the-job training so you can gain industry knowledge, experience, and skills for life all while getting paid and working towards a nationally recognised qualification.
At Vertas Group, we not only provide opportunities for new recruits to take part in apprenticeships but are also invested in the ongoing growth and development our existing colleagues.
Last year, we met with some of our apprentices to get an insight into their journey whilst studying. Now, a year later, we caught up with Lewis Goody, Senior Recruitment Consultant, and Gemma Scogings, Account Manager at Opus Teach, to find out what they have been up to since completing their apprenticeships.
Lewis Goody, Senior Recruitment Consultant. Joined Opus in March 2021.
- NVQ Level 3 in Recruitment and Principles of Recruitment Practice, completed in June 2023.
When asked about one of your career goals for the next 5 years, you said you would like to line manage and lead a team in the future. Is that still a goal of yours? How is that going?
"This is definitely still a career goal of mine. In fact, since October last year I have been line managing one of our Recruitment Resourcers who joined our team. I have enjoyed being given this new responsibility and it has supported my career growth.
"I am still actively working towards my goal through continued training and development; I have just started the ILM Level 5 Leadership and Management course which I am due to complete in 2025. Come back to me next year and we will see how that’s going!"
When we last caught up with you, Lewis, you were 4 months from your End Point Assessment (EPA). How did your EPA go, and how has your role developed since finishing your apprenticeship?
"I’m pleased to say I passed my EPA with a Distinction grade in June last year. Since completing my NVQ Level 3 in Recruitment and Principles of Recruitment Practice, I have continued my career development and taken on new responsibilities, such as line managing within my team and applying the skills I have learnt to my role.
My role has progressed and changed a lot since I finished my qualification and in November, I received a promotion to Senior Recruitment Consultant."
Gemma Scogings, Account Manager. Joined Opus Teach in August 2021.
- NVQ Level 3 in Recruitment and Principles of Recruitment Practice, completed in June 2023.
What made you want to do an apprenticeship, Gemma?
"I wanted to do an apprenticeship because it was a brilliant opportunity to upskill myself and I was able to complete it alongside my full-time job. I love learning new skills, whenever possible, which I have put to good use during my role and Opus Teach, part of Vertas Group, have been supportive of my development."
Is there anything you would do differently looking back at your apprenticeship that may be helpful to those wanting or currently doing an apprenticeship?
"It’s important to be able to carve out time to spend on your apprenticeship, especially during busy work periods. As I work on a temporary education recruitment desk, there are particular times and days which can be extremely busy so it can be easy to overlook study time and fall behind.
I would recommend for anyone who is doing an apprenticeship alongside a full-time job to make sure they block out regular time each week to complete their apprenticeship work."
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