Benefits of being an apprentice

Benefits of being an apprentice

Levelling up through an apprenticeship is an excellent way to get experience. It’s also a good way to get your foot in the door of a prospective job. We asked Ren about her experiences with us doing her apprenticeship in Cyber Security.

Ren’s story

I started my apprenticeship with YOU in September 2021 as a Digital Support Technician. I’d never worked in an office before and, due to COVID, I didn’t think it likely I would. The opportunity to leave my previous industry, get fully qualified and trained on the job, seemed too good to be true! But I decided to go for it and I’m really glad I did.

YOU’s team have really supported me all the way and they’re really invested and committed to my learning. I was initially nervous about the prospect of re-entering academia after working for a few years. But it was a completely painless experience.

Learning was tailored to me with the majority of my classes involving online sessions with trainers and independent study. This meant I was in control of my own time! In a short space of time I feel like I’ve made great headways into the industry. This has a lot to do with how accommodating the learning team has been. Initially, I had negative, preconceived ideas about being an apprentice. But I can honestly say now it was the right decision for me.

Levelling up

Before I become an apprentice, I wasn’t sure what to do. I was weighing up a full-time education at university with meaningful work experience. I realised that academically it would be impossible for me to perform as well as I would have wanted to. I feel like at YOU I’m really able to focus on self-development. And I get to work with some amazing colleagues as well!

Being part of an organisation that does so much for people in my local community, and even further, is wonderful. I’m really proud to support our staff and the work they do in my own small way. I aim to get my Distinction and progress into a higher-level apprenticeship in Cyber Security.