Apprenticeship proves just the business for Olivia

Businesses must be flexible to move with the time and reap what opportunities come along.

And just as businesses are flexible, so is undertaking an apprenticeship these days.

Olivia Paterson successfully dealt with studying during the Coronavirus Pandemic, attaining a Distinction in her Level 3 City & Guilds Business Administrator apprenticeship. Olivia can testify exactly how flexible apprenticeships can be – she moved employer during her qualification period, and moved training providers to follow her tutor/assessor Stacy Harrall-Phillips to Swatpro Academy.

“Stacy’s been a star,” says Olivia, who is membership events and communication administrator for Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce. “She’s really helped me in so many ways. I spoke to Stacy most days, and her advice has been invaluable.”

At Swatpro Academy, Stacy and her team used distance learning to help hone Olivia’s knowledge and build her confidence ahead of the three-part End Point Assessments for her apprenticeship.

“The constant communication was really helpful,” says Olivia.

“As well as Stacy, I’d like to thank Donna Stuckey and the rest of the team at Swatpro who all helped so much,” she adds.

The experience has given Olivia, who is 20, real future aims for her career.

“I really enjoy my job at the Chamber. It’s a great way to make contacts and speak to businesses of all sizes and sectors,” she explains.

“At first, I was quite overawed running events that would attract CEOs and senior executives from big companies – but the apprenticeship helped boost my confidence. Now I enjoy the experience.”

Olivia says her apprenticeship has made her realise that her forte is the marketing side of the job, and she now intends to undertake further training to specialise in that sector.

“The apprenticeship has really helped me grow in my job and see my career path clearly,” she concludes.

“Last year was a very difficult time for many of us with the virus: but among the negatives, there were positives: you can still train and develop in your profession and look with confidence to the future.”