Apprenticeship success story: Sian Sidgwick
Sian Sidgwick is currently undertaking a business admin apprenticeship with Carlisle Partnership at Cumberland Council.
Her role involves a variety of admin duties as well as working with partners, managing key performance indicators (KPIs), helping with the databases and other projects.
Sian studied business studies at Carlisle College for two years before deciding to go into business admin. She found her apprenticeship on indeed.com after looking through various job websites.
Sian’s apprenticeship involves a Level 3 qualification in Business Administration which she studies alongside her work attending college one day per week. Sian is also given time by her employer to complete her studies.
Reflecting on the advantages of doing an apprenticeship over full time education, Sian says: “It allows you to build connections before you go into full time work. For me personally it’s built my confidence up so much […] And my organisation and time management skills are so much better now I’m working.”
“I would recommend the apprenticeship route to others as it’s helped my confidence so much and allowed me to do so much more and more varied work.”
Sian’s transition into full time work has been made easier by the support she has received from her employer. Her manager has been very supportive, and the Council has a buddy system in place to give employees extra support. Sian and her buddy check up on each other every week to see how things are going.
“It was weird at first going from full time education into the workplace because you’re not used to it, but the transition definitely was very comfortable.”
Sian has evidently made a big impact while working at Carlisle Partnership. She has become an important part of the team, sharing responsibilities with her colleagues.
“My manager says: ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you’ which is really nice to hear. There’s a lot to do in our team, so me being there I feel like I’ve made an impact and helped them a lot.”
Sian advises other young people considering going into an apprenticeship to “explore their options and do lots of interviews to make sure they’re the right fit for you. Be resilient and even after you get pushed back just keep going, because there will be something out there.”
Sian also recommends doing research on trusted job websites and on businesses’ own websites to see what they have to offer in their job section.
We’d like to congratulate Sian on the impact she has made during her apprenticeship and wish her all the best for her career!
© Cumbria Chamber of Commerce