It’s National Apprenticeship Week and the Sky Blues are celebrating the journey of one of their apprentices whose hard work has led to being offered a full-time role at Sky Blues in the Community in 2018.
Joe, who was 18 at the time, had always had an interest in going into full-time work at the earliest opportunity after leaving school. After working in retail for a little while, Joe decided to apply for various apprenticeship opportunities – giving him the chance to gain valuable hands-on experience in an employment setting, develop personal skills as well as study towards gaining further qualifications.
Before the opportunity came up with Sky Blues in the Community, Joe had accepted a position elsewhere. However, following a trial day at the company, he decided that the industry wasn’t suited to his longer-term career prospects - leading him to continue seeking a more suitable apprenticeship.
In partnership with PET-Xi, Sky Blues in the Community advertised the position for a Business Administration Apprentice – something which Joe could see himself doing.
After reviewing the applications from various candidates, Joe was invited to attend an interview process at the Ricoh Arena Stadium and stood out as the most suitable candidate – subsequently being offered the position, starting in January 2017.
Over a year on, after excelling as an apprentice through hard work and dedication, Joe is now a full-time Business Administrator in the Sky Blues in the Community team.
Joe Murray, Sky Blues in the Community’s Business Administrator, said: “Over the course of my apprenticeship I have worked towards gaining a Level 3 Business Administration Qualification to further my knowledge alongside gaining practical skills and experience within the office environment.
"Following my apprenticeship, I was proud to be offered the position as Business Administrator and it gave me confidence in everything I had learned and how I applied myself at work. I really enjoy working at Sky Blues in the Community – particularly with all the different members of the team.
"With so many different community projects and programmes, everyone is involved in their own work but ultimately it all forms part of the brilliant charitable work we do to support the local community.”
David Busst, Sky Blues in the Community’s Head of Community said: “Over the last year or so, Joe has adapted and developed his own skills into the Business Administration role within Sky Blues in the Community.
"Joe has demonstrated the organisational skills required during his apprenticeship and has proved a valuable asset during this time. Joe takes direction well and also has the confidence to suggest new procedures to the benefit of Sky Blues in the Community.”