“The best thing has definitely been receiving the results of my EPA and just feeling so proud of myself, knowing that all my hard work had paid off.”
BUSINESS ADMIN APPRENTICE | CO-OP PROPERTY
This case study features Amy Arthur, Business Administration Apprentice at the Co-op.
What is your job title?
Property Commercial Apprentice.
Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?
During school I was lucky enough to be involved in a Co-op work experience programme. This two week period really confirmed my decision for my next steps. I never knew exactly what my career path would look like, therefore the traditional college and university path wasn’t my go-to option. In my opinion, the opportunity to do an apprenticeship provided me with the best of both worlds. An apprenticeship allowed me to gain a qualification, grow my network, get involved in hands-on learning and provide me with real life working experience which is second-to-none. I have always been mature, and I believed doing an apprenticeship would be the best path for my future.
What sort of activities did you do in your role whilst you were on the apprenticeship?
My apprenticeship course involved rotating around the various team within property over a two year period. This involved taking on small responsibilities, communicating with colleagues, getting involved in arranging and attending meetings and ultimately building the required evidence needed to complete my qualification. I spent one day a week dedicated to completing assignments, attending webinars and focusing on my progress to achieving my qualification- which was the goal!
I am always eager to get involved in other opportunities within the team whether this be doing videos for the team or presenting my story on webinars to potential future apprentices. Currently, I am working in the contract management team. My days involve understanding tender processes and getting involved in key milestone steps of tenders, supporting my colleagues’ with administrative tasks and attending a bunch of meetings and training sessions.
What have you enjoyed most about your apprenticeship?
I’ve really enjoyed being an apprentice. I have been involved in so many different opportunities varying from working in stores for two weeks, visiting different funeralcare homes and construction sites, attending conferences, producing videos for the team and attending a charity night. The best thing has definitely been receiving the results of my EPA and just feeling so proud of myself, knowing that all my hard work had paid off.
How was your training with Damar?
My training with Damar was everything I could have asked for from an apprenticeship provider. From the systems used, the assignments and webinar sessions to the overall support I received from my coach. I can’t fault anything.
What do you think your biggest achievement has been as an apprentice?
I think my biggest achievement is the resilience I have shown to adapting to working from home. It’s crazy to think I have spent most of my working life from home. At first, adapting to working from home, keeping in contact and involved with my team and managing my apprenticeship progress was a real struggle. My time management skills really have been tested in the pandemic but with the support of my team and Damar, and pushing myself, I managed to achieve a distinction on my apprenticeship and continue to be doing really well with the role and responsibilities I have in the property team.
What do you think you have contributed to your organisation during your apprenticeship?
I think I bring a positive and youthful impact to the team and offer new perspectives. I have received some really good feedback from everyone I have worked with over the past 15 months. Also, with the knowledge and experiences I have gained from my apprenticeship learning and assignments, I apply this on a daily basis to my role to improve my performance, ways of working and processes within the team to improve efficiency.
What are your career plans now you’ve finished your apprenticeship?
I am looking forward to finishing my final rotations within the property team and to see what the rest of the year has to offer. I am still unsure on my next steps but my long-term goal is to go into a leadership role in the future and run my own team.