Lucy Jeske – Management Apprentice Wiltshire Police

Factfile

• Current role: Apprenticeship Consultant
• Apprenticeship: Operations/ Departmental Manager ILM Level 5
• Duration: Two years
• Format: Online, with face to face work with training provider Paragon Skills
• Apprenticeship provider: Institute of Leadership and Management https://www.i-l-m.com/
• Progress: on track to complete early, coursework already 50% complete. (Minimum duration for all apprenticeships is 1 year and a day.)

Q. How it is the apprenticeship going?

Well lockdown has really helped me. It gave me more time for the online workshops, project work and tutor sessions. I have nine professional discussions with my tutor on topics like managing and leading people, problem solving, project management and finance. It takes a lot of preparation and I have a workbook to complete too. It’s challenged me, and I have to push myself, but I’ve really enjoyed taking part in the online workshops; they’ve helped me come on leaps and bounds.

Q. What about work/study/home life balance?

You need to be strict and take the 20% abstraction each week, otherwise it would be hard to keep up. Everything has allocated hours; you complete a learner journal every month, and have meetings, learning, workshops, revision, assignment writing and research to fit in. Preparation is key: you must put the work in.

Q. How will the apprenticeship help you in your job?

I’ve learned a lot along the way and was lucky to be able to attend the workshops early on due to lockdown. There’s lots of theories and methods to learn and topics like project management and managing and leading teams - all important skills and learning. Having an apprenticeship also gives you a better chance of career progression. While there are no guarantees of promotion, if an opportunity came up for a more senior role, having achieved an apprenticeship qualification I think I would be in a stronger position.

Q. Any advice if you are thinking of taking an apprenticeship?

If you are considering it and it’s something you feel could help you in your role, my advice is do it!

There’s never a good time, we all have busy lives and if you wait for a quiet time it may never come. I’ve found it so useful, especially meeting people on the workshops from different organisations, roles, levels and backgrounds – we find we are all facing the same issues. I really enjoyed the open discussions and being in a professional, relaxed environment.