Molly Francis - Direct Line Group

My Apprenticeship Story

My role:

I am a CSA (Customer Service Advisor) for Direct Line Group. I deal with customers who have crashed their cars and are looking to get booked in to get these fixed. On a day-to-day basis, I will call customers to book them in/out, I will check images of the customers vehicles and pass these over the VDA’s (Vehicle Damage Accessors). I also take excess payments, talk customers through their delivery package if they’re collecting from the office, and in general I will help my colleagues where I can, considering I am still learning at the moment.

How has the apprenticeship impacted my career:

This apprenticeship has impacted my career as I have always been someone who learns practically rather than mentally.  So, this has allowed me to learn whilst working which has made it easier for me to do my job better.

What I like about my apprenticeship:

I really enjoy my apprenticeship as I get to meet new people that are doing the job I’m doing, it is interesting to see what jobs they do daily and what I can work towards. I also enjoy the learning side of it as LSP have made the sessions knowledgeable and fun, my tutor is Robert, and he is always there to speak to when needed, he keeps us involved during the teaching sessions and this allows us to adapt our learning to the workplace.

Why I would recommend an apprenticeship:

Personally, I would recommend apprenticeships because it helps to develop your life skills during work and as well as this you get to learn whilst being paid, you get constant support and attention from your tutors, they can help with questions to do with learning or any about the workplace you may have that you don’t feel comfortable asking your team about.

Why I think employers should offer apprenticeships:

I believe employers should offer apprenticeships because it is a way that young adults like myself don’t have to go to university if they don’t want to, and still be able to do a job they want to by being able to practically learn it instead of being chucked straight into the deep end. It allows us to have more educational options than a straight academic path.