Apprentice Insight - Ian Johnson

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week we have joined in by asking our learners to share their apprenticeship journey. As the theme this year is ‘Look Beyond’ we are aiming to showcase our adult learners to show that apprenticeships are not only for 16-18 year olds, and can be used to progress in an existing role.

Our first case study is from Ian Johnson. Ian is currently working for Pentagon Group and is due to complete his Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship Standard with LSP this year.

This is what Ian has to say about his apprenticeship journey so far:

What inspired you to enrol onto an apprenticeship?

I have always been driven in my line of work and want to better myself all the time. I got to a stage in my job role were my line manager asked me if I would like to become his assistant manager as he thought I was up to the job. Upon accepting the role I then asked if I could get placed on a management course so I could learn more along the way.

What was the biggest factor in making you decide to do an apprenticeship?

To be able to gain more experience into management so I can hopefully move into a management position in the near future.

What is your typical day at work?

A typical day at work for me starts at 07.00am until 6.00pm, within my role I control my team and assist them with any issues they may have, I carry out daily invoicing, chase up order numbers, ensure accounts are open, prepare job cards for the following day, work out were we are in our daily budget/figures, have a daily meeting with my team at 10.00am to discuss our departments progress and run reports to work from to clear any outstanding jobs.

What do you enjoy most about your role, and why?

I enjoy working as part of a team and helping others out as I get a sense of achievement from this.

How do you think your apprenticeship has improved or opened up your career options?

This apprenticeship has helped me massively as I now feel I have the knowledge to be able to move on to bigger and better things if and when they come along.

What advice would you give to other people considering an apprenticeship as a route?

Get it done! All the hard work you put in will benefit you in the long run, it opens up a whole range of options for you to be able to move your chosen career forward.