An opportunity to hear from our staff that have completed their apprenticeships whilst with us.
At CareTech, we are passionate about not only improving the lives and experiences of those we support but also of our staff too. This National Apprenticeship Week we want to celebrate some of the staff that have taken on apprenticeships and how they've built #skillsforlife.
Debbie Taylor, Improvement Technician Apprenticeship
"I chose to undertake the Improvement Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship as I wanted to do a formal qualification that would enhance my current role, build on my skills & knowledge and which would challenge me. The subject topics covered in the course fitted well to tasks I undertook as part of my role and offered range, variety and interest which would all be of benefit and keep me motivated.
I found completing the course both challenging and rewarding as we worked through it. My tutor made the experience positive for me and my knowledge and confidence grew. I found the course was structured, methodical and we worked towards achievable goals. I felt supported both during the course and at end point assessment.
As a result of the apprenticeship my skills, knowledge and understanding have broadened. I have learnt new and better ways of working and have a new enthusiasm to use knowledge and tools in projects I would not have used before. I feel I have gained a lot both professionally and personally by undertaking the apprenticeship."
In addition to undertaking her apprenticeship during the challenging times of Covid, Debbie was also voted as DH Associates Apprentice of the Year 2022.
Debbie was nominated by Kate Day, Operations Director at DH Associates, who said:
"It has been a real pleasure supporting Debbie, she has a passion for her role as part of the compliance team and was always looking for ways to support the business whilst continually furthering her knowledge.
The programme Debbie had chosen to study was particularly challenging but she approached her apprenticeship with determination and enthusiasm, and consistently produced outstanding pieces of work/research and presentations.
Debbie exceeded her own expectations ‘just to pass’ and completed her course with a Distinction. Well done Debbie!"
"Hello, I’m Ashley from Wolverhampton.
I’m a Receptionist and Administrator for the CareTech Group at our Adults North Regional office in Wolverhampton. I’ve now been with CareTech for five and a half years having joined the organisation in August 2017 as a Business Administration Apprentice after spending some time being mentored by The Princes Trust. I’m often known as “The face of CareTech” always being the first person you see as you walk into the office. I look after everything front of house and have my own set of administrative tasks, always willing to lend a hand to other teams when required.
Soon after becoming a fully-fledged member of the team I enrolled onto a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration working with the training provider DH Associates who are also part of the CareTech family.
The apprenticeship was formed of a number of elements. The coursework consisted of a number of modules that required me to do some research into CareTech for example finding relevant policies. Other units covered my own work and discussing various scenarios and outcomes. The latter was a bit more of a challenge as recalling certain events takes some time when you don’t notice you’ve done a good thing or you’re trying to recall a specific event. Some of the evidence my assessor had to collect was video footage and examples of me carrying out my day to day duties which was a bit different but I don’t mind. Then I had to do assessments in Maths, English and IT which I passed before continuing onwards to my End Point Assessment also known as an EPA. The EPA consisted of a multiple choice assessment and a final presentation. My presentation had to be based on my idea for an improvement that could be made in CareTech. The topic I chose was to find out whether or not it would be more cost effective for CareTech to use an external printing company for the majority of their printing requirements and would going external give us better quality printed documents. The outcome of my research was that CareTech were looking to focus on their transition to being paperless so keeping most things in house was the preferred option.
Whilst doing my apprenticeship I was also the Regional and National winner of CareTech’s 2019 Excellence in Office Operations Award at our company’s annual Care Awards, something that alongside my qualification I’m both absolutely thrilled to say I’ve got under my hat. Now I have got both and as much as I enjoy being the face of the office. I would like in the future to gradually move off Reception into a more technical administrative type role with more responsibility and a different range of tasks. At the moment though I’m more than happy where I am. I’ve got some lovely and supportive colleagues around me and I love what I do which is all you really need at work."
