Richard King

(Apprentice in Highway Management Area East, Environment Economy and Culture Directorate.)

Formally working at Makro wholesalers, doing the same tasks day in day out, I needed a change, a job I could get my teeth into, and a job where I found I was making a difference within my local community as well as South West as a whole. When I found the apprenticeship via Connexions I thought it was an excellent opportunity to really get my career going. I grabbed an application form, thinking if I was to get the job I would be a very lucky, privileged individual.

I had a letter through the post, I have an interview date, not knowing what to expect from the interview process, all I knew is that if I was successful first time round; there would be a further interview. I was very excited, and nervous.

The day of the interview, I found that it was informal which I wasn’t expecting. We had a small briefing at the start of the day in which I met many other individuals hoping to get onto the apprenticeship scheme. Tracey Holding gave a small presentation giving some background information into how the day was going to plan out, and some details into the apprenticeship scheme itself. It was great having all the different directorates there, beneficial as you get an idea of the different departments within the County Council. The thought only just came to me that I could pick which part of the Council I would like my apprenticeship in. The process of finding out about what directorate does what was very interesting, and I learned a lot of information I never knew about the Council. The first one I approached was within the Environment, Economy and Culture Directorate, and the apprenticeship was in Area East Highway Management. The two ladies that explained the position were very friendly, and really ‘sold’ the position to me, and here I am now working for them.

While this was going on, you were given an interview time slot with personnel from Academy of Training. I was given some tasks to do I remember one of them asking me to take notes from this recorded message. I had to answer a few questions, it was a relaxed process, and was given an opportunity to ask about the apprenticeship.

Once all of us had our interviews, we had to decide which three directorates most appealed to us. The first one was easy the highway management stuck in my mind, this was my first choice. My second choice was working in the customer service centre, and my third choice was ScoMIS which is more IT based.

I left feeling a little overwhelmed by the knowledge I had gained just by the first stage of interviews. The whole day was very well planned out, informative, helpful and a relaxing atmosphere helped make the day for me, a very successful one.

The day after I received a phone call from Devon County Council to say that I have another interview, and it was with my first choice in Area East Highway Management. I was really excited getting really close to maybe successfully being an apprentice with the Council. The interview itself was days before I was due to go on holiday, what a great start to my trip to France if I find out that I have a new job.

The waiting in the reception area for the second interview was nerve racking, I’m called up, I go through the door, and was greeted with four interviewees round a table, my heart sank. I sat down and was introduced to who was interviewing me which I believe was three employees from the directorate, and the head of the apprenticeship scheme. I was asked some quite hard questions, and backing up what you were saying was hard, though I thought considering my nervousness I answered the questions fairly well. I left the interview sweating, and relieved, I hate interviews!

I got the all important phone call, YOU GOT THE JOB, woo hoo!! My working career begins, I tell all my close friends and family who are all very pleased for me. I am now an apprentice for Devon County Council; I start on the 6th October in the Area East Highway Management at Little Moor House.

I have been working in area east highway management for a month and with in that short space of time I have learned a great deal about EEC. My work colleagues are an excellent bunch of people, they have all made me welcome within their team. In my first week of working there some of my work colleagues took me out for a drink which was really nice, and I have settled into my new role nicely.

There is a lot of opportunity for me to get stuck into a variety of tasks; I have been dealing a lot with the incoming and outgoing post, which has been very beneficial as it gives you an overview of the different procedures.

Hopefully in the coming months I will be able to work in other departments, we have a materials laboratory here, and I would like to have a chance to work in there with doing more practical work. Insurance is also another area which I would like to work in, to understand the processes of insurance.

While working for Devon County Council, I am doing NVQ level 2 and 3 in Business and Administration, also I may have the opportunity to do an NVQ in Customer Service as well. There is plenty of training available from the Council and they really encourage personal development.

Every other Wednesday I have a practical NVQ training session with Academy of Training, at the end of level 2 I will have an exam to undertake.

I have been on many courses so far in under a short period of time. I have been on ‘winter training course’, outlook basic, team management training, and soon will undertake an assertiveness training course. There are many more training courses available and completing the courses will help with my personal development.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my apprenticeship placement. I work for an interesting and varied directorate, with the extensive range of tasks and projects to get involved in.

I would recommend the apprenticeship scheme to anyone, it’s a fun and challenging role which is ever changing!