It’s National Apprenticeship Week and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to share with you some of the stories of young people beginning their careers with us.
This year’s #NAW2024 is all about ‘Skills for Life’.
As Erin Tweddell explains, the impact her apprenticeship has had not just on her professionally, but also on her personal development, is huge.
She joined Bernicia 18 months ago as a business administration assistant and has now taken up the full-time role of compliance co-ordinator in our business, still studying to complete her apprenticeship qualification.
“I have learned a lot of skills since I started,” said Erin. “I have never had anything to do with business, it was a full fresh start for me.
“I’ve learned a lot of skills – whether it be IT, communications – it’s totally built my confidence up doing this apprenticeship.”
Bernicia has taken on over 70 apprentices in the past 12 years with around 95% of those people choosing to stay with us once they complete their apprenticeship. We currently have 24 apprentices at varying stages of their journey with us
We have our first Assisted Apprenticeship – Justin White – who is neurodiverse and working as a business administration apprentice.
Jackie Johnson, Bernicia employability manager, said: “An apprenticeship provides the skills and knowledge they need, as well as the social skills that are vital in the workplace to secure a full-time role at Bernicia.
“We have a retention rate of just over 95% for the apprentices completing our programme, who decide to stay with us to pursue a career.
“For Bernicia, we are growing our next generation of our workforce. We’ve so many examples of young people who joined us as apprentices who have gone on to fill important roles within our business.
“Apprenticeships give them the confidence to take their first steps into the world of work – for many this can be their first experience of the workplace.
“I see them mature so much during their time with us, the increase in confidence is so rewarding to see – to see them fulfil their potential.”
You can follow the success of Erin and some of our other apprentices on our Facebook, Linkedin and X pages.