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Bella Hardaker – Business Admin Apprentice

What is your job title?

HR Administrator.   

Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?

When I was in sixth form, my school were very university-focused but I knew that university was not for me at that time. So I took a gap year and completed a ski season, which was something I had always wanted to do, due to my love of skiing. Then when I came back from my gap year, I looked into apprenticeships. It was then, when I realised that apprenticeships were not just for hairdressing and trades but that you could get an apprenticeship in pretty much any job. That’s when I came across the Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship. When reading more information on this course, I was really interested in the fact that you can learn and gain a qualification while working and gaining experience plus earning money. I can confirm that I am very happy with the decision I made to complete an apprenticeship, as I have gained so much from this experience.   

What sort of activities did you do in your role whilst you were on the apprenticeship?

Throughout my apprenticeship in business administration I attended and completed many activities. One aspect that I really enjoyed was when all of the apprentices at Trowers and Hamlins would meet on a monthly basis and discuss where we were all at with our apprenticeship and help each other with course work. It was helpful to get their views on certain elements of the apprenticeship. Damar also put on a finance webinar which was a really interesting activity, as it meant I was able to understand elements of finance which I did not know before.  

What have you enjoyed most about your apprenticeship?

Overall I found my apprenticeship really enjoyable. I have gained so many new skills as well as meeting and interacting with people from all walks of life within the working environment.  I would have to state that my best moment was when I got my end-point assessment results. I was really happy with my distinction as I had worked so hard and I knew that the hard work had paid off.   

How was your training with Damar?

Overall my training with Damar was very good. I can confirm that my Damar coach was very helpful and supportive throughout my course. My coach and I would meet on a monthly basis where we would discuss the work I needed to complete. She always gave detailed feedback on my work, as well as making sure that I was up to speed and prepped for the mid-point and the end-point assessments.