CASE STUDY 2 - BECKI

Becki joined the first cohort of the Young Apprenticeship in Business & Administration course in September 2005. Prior to this, she was a pupil at Fulford School, studying towards her GCSE’s which she hoped to pass at grade ‘C’ level.  Becki already had a keen interest in Business Studies as a progression route and was therefore selected by the school to attend York College for one day a week to gain a level 2 qualification (equivalent to four GCSE’s).

The college was already running the Young Apprenticeship in Engineering and as a result of delays within the DfEs local schools, was notified very late in the summer term about the new Business pathway. This worked to Becki’s advantage as she was one of only five learners undertaking this course.

In the first year, Becki worked towards her OCR Word-processing and Clait qualifications and also towards the Technical Certificate - all of which she passed. She then studied Business & Administration theory and to underpin her knowledge throughout the first term, Becki worked in the college Business Bureau which offers Business & Administration support to college staff and students.

In early February Becki then began the first of her 50 days of placement with a local, nationally acclaimed employer whose company was based in her own village. As well as general office work, Becki was also trained in customer service, dealing with product enquiries and orders. It was a very successful placement and the employer invited Becki to work with them throughout the summer holidays. This gave Becki the opportunity to continue to build up her skills and relationship with company employees.

In her second year at college Becki passed further word processing and audio exams and completed the Technical Certificate. As her placement had been so successful Becki returned to the same company to complete her 50 days of placement and achieved her NVQ2 in Business & Administration.

As Becki had impressed the company so much she was offered a full-time job and went onto the Modern Apprenticeship scheme coming in to York College one day a week to complete her NVQ 3 in Business & Administration and ECDL Advanced.

Becki was also put forward for the National Young Apprentice of the Year Award for which she was short listed. She also made her film debut in York College’s marketing DVD about the Young Apprenticeship scheme in which Becki talks about her course experiences, achievements and placement success. This DVD was shown to all local schools and parents at Option evenings, Information events and at National Conferences and YA Workshops.

Becki is currently continuing her further education at York College on a part time basis studying on the Foundation Degree in Business Management while still working full–time at the same company.

When asked about her experiences on the Young Apprenticeship course she said:

“It gave me a taste of the work environment and what it involved and I did this ahead of all my friends, it gave me a great opportunity – it changed my life”.