NAW2023: Meet Lauren

It’s National Apprenticeship Week, and we’re celebrating some of the brilliant people currently undertaking apprenticeships with us.

Let us introduce you to Lauren Seers who works at our HQ in Watford.

Lauren is an Operations Manager who is currently undertaking a Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship with us.  She describes herself as a single parent with a ‘crazy but wonderful’ four-year-old daughter.  When not working, mum-ing or studying, Lauren likes to relax with a good TV series, reading, live music and socialising.

When did you start your Apprenticeship?

I started in September last year and will finish in January 2025.

Why did you choose the Apprenticeship route?

To help develop my career and grasp a wider understanding of how businesses work and why, in real time. By doing this as an apprenticeship I can put things I’ve learned or understood in the classroom into practice in my current role and I’m also able to contextualise what’s being said in the classroom into how it fits within my current role and organisation.

What does it involve?

For each semester of the first year, we study 2 modules, each of which has 2 assessments. I attend lectures/classes every other Friday and a study leave day every other week to ensure I am receiving my 6hrs off the job learning per week. In year 2 we will be implementing a change within the workplace! It is hard work, you need to be dedicated but you get an immense amount of support from both the university and work.

What do you like about it?

I learning about the bigger picture and also seeing how other businesses operate. It helps me understand and apply the best approach when dealing with projects, day-to-day management, people management etc. I also like that it challenges you to do new things and apply yourself in different ways. There are so many skills that I didn’t realise I had which this apprenticeship has shown me.

Are there any downsides?

There are deadlines so time management really is key, this is something it’s taken me a while to adjust to as you do need to be strict with yourself and not dip into work when you should be studying. But this is a ‘me thing’ and probably the only challenge I’ve faced.

What do you hope to do after your Apprenticeship?

Apply the skills that I’ve learnt to my role to help grow and develop myself even further so that I am confidently ready to take the next steps in my career.

What advice would you give to others considering an Apprenticeship?

Do it!! It really helps broaden your understanding of the way businesses operate and why. It also gives you so many transferable skills and tap into some you didn’t realise you had.

What support have you received from Workwell for your Apprenticeship?

When doing an Apprenticeship you have a mentor within work who is there to support and help you. This help can be arranging for you to sit with other departments, running over assignments with you, and making sure you’re utilising your study leave and general guidance. I speak with my mentor frequently, ask her opinion on what I’m doing, check my writing style, ask for help obtaining policies etc and I know she is always on hand if I need her. She even gets as excited about my assignment grades as I do, which is lovely.

 

Interested in joining our fabulous team?

Keep and eye on vacancies here.