During National Apprenticeship Week we celebrate all things apprentice related at Myerscough College. Our range of schemes and coverage continues to grow, and our apprentices come from all backgrounds and at locations around the country.
It’s widely reported that females are under-represented across a wide range of apprenticeship sectors. Within construction and engineering for example only around 1 in 19 are female. In other schemes of which Myerscough College specialises the numbers are equally disproportionate.
Myerscough College is committed to the principle of “Opportunities for all to succeed” and some of our recent new apprentices are a clear example of this commitment.
Myerscough College Principal, Ann Turner explains: “Becoming the first woman to become Principal of the college, I know how tough it can be to succeed in traditionally male dominated sectors.The achievements of the girls so far should be celebrated and I’m sure they’ll go onto fantastic careers within their chosen fields.Myerscough College is proud of its reputation as a leading provider of training for the land based and specialist industries. I wish the girls every success!’’
Here we celebrate some of our amazing female apprentices and they share their ambitions, and reasons for choosing the career paths they have taken.
Miriam Fish – Intermediate Apprentice in Agriculture
Miriam, aged 18, from Heap Bridge near Bury works as an Apprentice in Agriculture for M&M Fish, Spout Beck Farm. Miriam works as part of the family business with her mother, father and three sisters.
Miriam left school in 2013 and decided that she did not want to continue in traditional full time education, but admits she was a little unsure of which path to take: “I knew full time education wasn’t for me and also that I wanted to stay within Agriculture and learn the skills needed to carry on within the family business. Having visited a Myerscough College open day I came across Apprenticeships.”
“The great thing about the Apprenticeship is earning a wage, and getting a proper qualification at the same time. I really love the industry days the college organises, as I get to meet the other Apprentices across the region, share our storied and ideas. Sometimes I would love things to happen quicker but understand that there is a lot to learn and as I work through my qualification my knowledge increases. I hope to soon go onto my Level 3 programme and further enhance my range of skills.”
“My advice to other female school-leavers would be to not be frightened that it’s all boys, get involved and give it a go. If you have the support of your friends and family, and a placement with a supportive employer then you will be fine and will like me really enjoy it.”
Katie Long – Plant Maintenance Apprentice
Katie Long, aged 18 from Exeter, is an Apprentice in Construction Plant Maintenance, working for Uk Forks, part of Vp Plc. Katie is studying for a three year Apprenticeship delivered by Myerscough College in partnership with CITB. The programme involves periods of block release training at the Colleges new £5.5m Engineering Centre at the main campus in Bilsborrow, near Preston. Katie is initially studying at Level 2 and then progress onto the Advanced Level 3 programme in the final year. Katie will complete her Apprenticeship in the summer of 2017.
Katie explains her reasons for choosing to apply for the Apprenticeship as opposed to more traditional pathways: ‘’I completed a short engineering course whilst at school. For me the Apprenticeship is a fantastic way to earn, learn and pave a career path within the industry. In the future after I qualify I would like to gain permanent employment and hopefully progress within the company. I would also like to look at higher education options and gain as much knowledge and experience as I can. I would recommend Apprenticeships to other young people as a fantastic way to enter the industry.”
Rebecca Lucas – Advanced Apprentice in Agriculture
Rebecca, aged 23 from Morecambe works as an Advanced Apprentice in Agriculture for W B Casson & Son based in Carnforth, Lancashire. Rebecca is kept busy undertaking a wide range of duties across the farm and is working towards her Advanced Apprenticeship in Agriculture, which she started in March 2014.
Prior to the Apprenticeship Rebecca was at college studying Equine Studies but the draw of agriculture after lots of work experience when she was a teenager was hard to resist. Rebecca comments on her reasons for choosing an Apprenticeship, what’s good and bad, and her advice to others looking at this as part of career options: ‘’I chose an Apprenticeship because I wanted to continue my studies and get a job at the same time. I get the best of both worlds and am learning new things every single day. The work is hard and demanding, in sometimes extreme weather conditions, but the rewards are fantastic. We milk at 5.30am so early starts are the normal in this industry. Its nice to think that my work plays a part in the public being able to buy fresh milk.”
“My advice to other young people is simple, to go for it!! You will learn new things everyday. You end up with tonnes of real work experience, meet new friends and get a recognised qualification at the end. Apprenticeships really open up doors for young people.”
Katie Croft – Apprentice Groundsperson
Katie Croft, aged 19 from Irlam, Manchester, has become one of the first women in the country to join the Groundstaff at a Premier League Football Club. Katie has defied the odds in such a male dominated industry to secure her dream role with Manchester City Football Club.
The 19-year-old, from Irlam, is on a 20 month Intermediate Apprenticeship in Horticulture (Sportsturf) with Myerscough College after being chosen from nearly 200 applicants for the coveted position, maintaining the playing surfaces across the clubs facilities including the new City Football Academy complex in East Manchester.
Katie said: “I had spent the last few years working in customer service at a local airport. For some time I have wanted a change and when I came across this opportunity I decided to apply. I enjoy being outdoors and doing jobs where I can see the result of my efforts.’’
‘’So far things are going really well at Manchester City, and I am learning new skills almost every day. The new facilities are amazing and it’s great to think that my work can play a small part in the development and success of the club.”
Katie’s Apprenticeship has even caught the eye of Paul Burgess, another ex-Myerscough College Apprentice and now Grounds Manager at Real Madrid CF who had this advice for Katie: ‘’Listen, work hard and to be prepared to learn from mistakes. There are fantastic opportunities in this industry for those who are meticulous, dedicated and have a true passion for the job. Good luck to Katie in her new career and I look forward to hearing of her progress.”
Katie could now follow in the footsteps of Sarah Addison, who became the first woman to work on an international cricket ground after completing a Foundation Degree at Myerscough.
Amy Baxter – Advanced Apprentice in Arboriculture
Amy, aged 21 from Liverpool, works as an Advanced Apprentice in Arboriculture for Amey Plc based in Liverpool. Amy began the Apprenticeship in the autumn of 2014, and works as part of a team covering the maintenance of trees across the Liverpool area. Amy is working towards an Apprenticeship in Arboriculture – Trees and Timber, receiving training in the workplace and on college technical days under the direction of tutor Mark Goucher.
Amy is one of only a handful of female Arboriculture Apprentices and explains her reasons for the career choice and why the Apprenticeship is perfect for her, saying: “Following school I studied Arboriculture at Myerscough College. I have always had an interest in the outdoors and green spaces and it seemed like a really interesting subject area. I attended a careers fair in Liverpool and spoke to Amey Plc. about a possible Apprenticeship opportunity. What I love about my role is that it combines practical, physical activity with knowledge I have studied at college. There is a load to learn and everyday is different. I work as part of a team and with the dangerous nature of our work we have to look out for each other at all times.”
“Its funny sometimes seeing the reaction of the public who really don’t expect to see a young female high up in a tree with a chainsaw. I love my job and am looking forward to a long career within the industry. I would recommend Apprenticeships to other young people as a fantastic way to start a new career. You earn a wage and continue with your studies. For me it’s a perfect combination.”
Sophie Thornsby – Advanced Apprentice in Agriculture
Sophie, aged 17 from Todmorden, works as an Advanced Apprentice in Agriculture for N & R Sutcliffe, at Pex Tenement Farm in Todmorden, Lancashire. Amy left Todmorden High School in 2014 with a raft of GCSE’s but chose an Apprenticeship in Agriculture instead of more traditional study routes.
Sophie gave us the reasons for this choice, her opinions on Apprenticeships and advice for other school leavers making often tough career choices: “I loved working with animals and new straight away after my work experience that this was the career for me. Being around the livestock is amazing, and seeing them develop and flourish is a great feeling. Don’t get me wrong its really hard work and sometimes the weather can be a nightmare but I always have a smile on my face and love my job.”
“In the future I would love to take my education further and to maybe study Agriculture at degree level. It’s important that young people know that Apprenticeships can lead to this, and are not just in dead end careers. My advice to other young people is to get some experience whilst your at school. Speak to local employers and is its something you really want to do go for it. If you work hard enough and have a real passion for what you do then the rewards and fantastic.”
Sarah Hodgetts - Advanced Level 3 Apprenticeship in Equine (Horse Care)
Sarah Hodgetts aged 22 from Freckleton attended Carr Hill High School in Kirkham, Lancashire. Initially hoping to go to university to study drama or biology Sarah settled on a different path and is currently approaching the end of her Advanced Level 3 Apprenticeship in Equine (Horse Care) at Wrea Green Equitation Centre.
After school, following periods of illness and personal tragedy, Sarah found herself seeking an opportunity, and eventually started an Apprenticeship. Now nearly 4 years later Sarah is looking to the future and reflects on her journey and what the Apprenticeship means to her, saying; “After school my life took a turn for the worse. Periods of illness and personal issues meant my original career choices were no longer an option. I came across the opportunity to do an Apprenticeship and have not looked back since. I have always loved horses and the outdoors so the Apprenticeship with Myerscough College combined two of the things I loved with the chance to gain real life experience, qualifications and earn a wage at the same time. I have not looked back since.”
“I completed the initial Level 2 – Intermediate programme in 2013 and then progressed onto the Level 3 – Advanced Apprenticeship which I will now finish in around May of 2015. The Apprenticeship has given me so much not just in terms of academic achievement but on a personal level. I feel like a different person, almost transformed. I am more confident in not just my ability but in what I can achieve in the future. I would recommend Apprenticeships wholeheartedly to other young people who are looking to gain a real career path in life.”
“Once I finish my Level 3 programme I am going to progress onto the British Horse Society (BHS) Preliminary Teaching Test (PTT), and from there I fully intend to work at inspiring other young people to develop their skills within the Equine industry. At Wrea Green I am involved in teaching young people from age 3 upwards, many with a range of additional support needs. To know I have played a part in their personal development is a fantastic feeling and its fantastic to see them overcome barriers and achieve goals just like I did.”
Myerscough College deliver a wide range of Apprenticeships, workbased and industry training solutions to employers across the country. For more information please contact the Employer Services Team on 01995 642255 or email employerenquiries@myerscough.ac.uk