Apprentices

Employer: Nielsen

I had a place at university for a full-time course, but I wasn't completely set on what career path I wanted, so I decided the best thing to do would be to get experience.

At college and Oxford Brookes University, it's nice to meet students from other companies; it gives a good insight into other businesses and is interesting to have debates and understand their opinion on different subjects. The lecturers are enthusiastic and willing to help, and it's easier to gain the support in a smaller lecture environment.

I love that my degree is funded, I'm gaining experience that I wouldn't get from university, and it's exciting to know that I'm guaranteed a relevant job at the end of my apprenticeship.

Employer: Lincoln College, University of Oxford

I recommend the land-based courses that the College run to friends all the time. It’s a phenomenal place to learn, especially the attentive way the courses are taught to apprentices. The support from staff is fantastic too. I owe a lot to my tutor in particular.

I personally believe that being a gardener is not just a job, it’s much more. It’s a state of mind. You have to have a passion to make it work.

Gardening is a continuous cycle of hard work, knowledge, and growth. Each season is different and every season has a purpose. You really are working with the grain of nature and this roots you as an individual in a way no other profession does.

Employer: Nielsen

Doing an apprenticeship has allowed me to get experience at the same time as studying a full-time degree, and gave me the opportunity to decide what career path I wanted to go down.

I think that working in a full-time role and doing an apprenticeship is never easy. Time management, at first, was my biggest challenge. Ensuring that I was spending enough time on work, studies and myself was hard, but this definitely got easier as I worked out how to manage my time. I am able to use what I learn in the classroom to my day to day work, which is really useful, also allowing me to bring new ideas to the team.

Doing a degree as well as an apprenticeship was the best decision I made.

Employer: Blenheim Palace

I love working at Blenheim Palace because no two days are the same and I get to meet people from all kinds of different backgrounds and places. It’s such a supportive work environment, all the managers and staff are so nice and everyone is always willing to help you out. I always get the training I need and time to do my work for college.

Sonja, my tutor, has been amazing too and has really supported and pushed me to succeed. Learning on-the-job has worked perfectly for me and I’ve taken every opportunity I’ve been given at Blenheim with both hands. I hope to keep working at Blenheim once I complete my apprenticeship because I can see that there are so many opportunities here and they really look after and develop their staff

Employer: The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)

I was a plumber but I've always had a passion for gardening. I was looking for a route into the industry so I applied for an an apprenticeship at Hailey House, a 20-acre country estate near Wallingford. I covered the basic principles of horticulture at the College, including soil structure and plant identification tests. At Level 3 we looked into more advanced subjects such as plant physiology, soil analysis and designing/planting plans, preparing us to take on more responsibility within the industry.

I eventually went on to become the head gardener of an 80-acre, 18th Century estate just outside Oxford. This role gave me the responsibility of managing a large project; creating schedules, hiring/purchasing machinery, delegating tasks to staff and liaising with the estate owners. Having progressed quickly from apprentice to head gardener I felt there was more I needed to learn. I was honoured to be offered a student position at RHS Garden Wisley, where I have been working and studying full time, and being trained by one of the world’s leading organisations in the horticultural industry.

Employer: Nielsen

Being an apprentice means that I can gain all the work skills that I need and a degree too, which will help increase my knowledge in the business world, not to mention giving me the chance to ‘earn while I learn’.

We have learnt a variety of topics related to business at the College, such as digital information for business, business management, accounting, operations and customer communications.

I monitor new products that are soon to be launched by manufactures, such as Coca Cola, and then help the commercial team look for new leads and potential projects to help the manufacturer with this new product.

My advice is to take on all challenges thrown at you and give everything a go, but also be willing to ask others for help and advice.

Employer: Oxford Products

Starting an apprenticeship was definitely a big change of environment but I didn’t really know what to expect; I’d been so used to a school environment, and I wasn’t sure how much it would differ to the work environment.

I learnt some valuable skills in website design and moderating, event planning and social media management. There was even some international travel involved, such as a motorcycle trade show in Milan, Italy.

To anyone thinking about an apprenticeship, I would say go for it! It’s a great option for someone who is looking for a hands-on route into a career, or for people who don’t plan on going to university. It opens up a wide range of opportunities and gives you so many ideas about future careers.

Employer: University of Oxford

After GCSEs, I spent a bit of time at sixth form, but I realised that this way of learning wasn’t for me. I had always been more hands on with my learning and this is why an apprenticeship was perfect!

Not only can you gain skills and experience within the workplace, but you also gain a lot of life experience that will stay with you throughout your professions.

My business administration apprenticeship has allowed me to work closely with a brilliant team of workplace professionals, meet a lot of friendly faces at Abingdon & Witney College and at University of Oxford apprenticeship networking & ambassador events.

As someone who left school, not knowing which career path to take, my apprenticeship has now enabled me to see clear options ahead of where I would like to go with my career, and with the experience I have gained, has given me the confidence to reach my goals.