Our apprentice Lori with a member of HR in the Assembly library[/caption]
Apprenticeship Week celebrates the positive impact apprenticeships have on individuals and businesses.
Lori Nicolls, apprentice with our Communications team, talks about her experience…
Recently, I visited my former school, Blackwood Comprehensive in Gwent as part of the 'Apprenticeship Ambassadors' scheme working with the Welsh Government's Department for Education and Skills.
I was thrilled to be chosen, and I couldn't wait to give my talk to the students on my experience of being an apprentice and working in the National Assembly for Wales. Apprehensive, but armed with my notes, I spoke in front of 200 year 10 students.
Before leaving school, I wasn't sure what career path I wanted to take, so after applying for numerous jobs with no luck, I was surprised to see that there were apprenticeships available in business and media, as I had always thought apprenticeships were for more traditional courses like hairdressing or construction.
In February 2013, I was pleased when I managed to secure a position as an apprentice at the National Assembly, and was placed in the Communications department. My role varies daily, which is what I love about my job. Some days I'll be focusing on social media, creating and drafting tweets to engage with the public, other days I may be helping my colleague in planning or hosting events, or some days I may be working on the Assembly's publications.
With more and more employers asking for experience, an apprenticeship really is the best of both worlds. You learn whilst earning, whilst gaining invaluable experience.
The apprenticeship programme is funded by the Welsh Government with the support of the European Social Fund. From butchery to baking, engineering to electrical or hospitality to HR there is a huge range of apprenticeship frameworks available for young people across Wales. For more information about becoming an apprentice, please visit www.careerswales.com or call 0800 0284844. Also find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/apprenticeshipscymru and on Twitter @apprenticewales