Modern Apprenticeships

Alix Finlayson, GA Business Management Community Planning Assistant, Chief Executive Service

When Alix left High School at the end of sixth year in 2015, she wasn’t quite sure what she wanted to do.

While exploring options, Alix saw Modern Apprenticeship opportunities with Dundee City Council, and started her Modern Apprenticeship in Business & Administration in September 2015.

Undertaking the SVQ Level 3 enabled Alix, who had little work experience, to adjust to an office working environment whilst also gaining a vocational qualification.

After successfully completing the SVQ 3 she became a full Community Planning Assistant.

As part of her ongoing career development Alix was offered an MA programme in Digital Applications Support. This enabled her to become fully competent in a number of digital skills needed in the workplace; Alix was able to complete the programme while in her full-time post and had dedicated study leave.

Alix was still keen to progress her career so her manager suggested she should apply for the Graduate Apprenticeship scheme in Business Management, which Alix readily embraced.

Alix is now in her 2nd year working towards her BA (Hons) and said:

‘I am enjoying it. Being able to continue working full time and, at the same time undertake this learning opportunity is extremely useful, it allows me to understand a lot of elements of Dundee City Council whilst also understanding a number of topics in the wider business environment.

It is hard work, studying and working full-time. But the level of support given by my employer is extremely important.

My Line Manager and Mentor have been so great in keeping me on target and also making sure I am making enough time.

For someone who never considered university as an option, the benefits of this course mean I can further my learning whilst also continuing to gain the experience of working.’

Andrew Swarbrick, AITCO, IT Service, Education

After leaving school in 2015 Andrew started a University course in Business Management, but he soon realised this was not for him.

In 2016 he applied for a Modern Apprenticeship in IT with Dundee City Council.

This was a 2- year Apprenticeship shadowing IT technicians in the workplace and learning on the job, whilst studying one day a week at college, covering fault finding, implementation of IT kit, software deployment and other skills. Andrew successfully gained his SVQ 3 in IT and Telecommunications Diploma.

Andrew stated

‘It was a wage in my pocket while I was learning and developing my skills. I really enjoyed it. Not only was I learning a new trade, I was learning so many other skills too – self-discipline, responsibility, diplomacy, teamwork.’

Towards the end of his MA, Andrew was offered a permanent post with the Council as a Graduate Apprentice, undertaking a BSc (Hons) IT Management, again attending university one day a week, undertaking subjects in coding, database creation and managerial skills. This meant more responsibility and more money.

Andrew is halfway through his 3rd year, and university is going well. He says

‘It is hard work but very rewarding too. So far, I have learned how to code in various languages, I have learned about networking and I have learned various project management concepts and techniques.

Recently, I applied for a promoted post and was successful. This is a big step up from what I was doing before, and I am looking forward to the challenge. I will be using the skills that I have learned through both apprenticeships to ensure that I work to a high standard’

Andrew believes the opportunity provided by Dundee City Council to undertake both an MA and a GA has allowed him to get where he is now and shows that his employer is backing youth and those who work hard to better themselves.