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Success Stories

Lee Richardson

Category: NVQ level 2 & 3 Light Vehicle

Job: Motor Mechanic

Learner's Story:

I joined Milltech from school after completing an entry level Motor Vehicle course. My first work experience and placement was with Simon Dent a local garage he laid the foundations for my apprenticeship. To start off with it wasn't easy and you have to be prepared to get your hands dirty.

After that 1st year I applied to Minories Toyota, Newcastle Road and was successful with both my application and interview. I was over the moon as it is very hard to get into a main dealer. I have since completed both my level 2 & 3 Light Vehicle NVQ Apprenticeship. My manager Stephen is now going to send me on the Manufacturing Apprentice/Academy programme, this is something else I am looking forward to completing.

I love what I do and my goal is to become self employed and hopefully run my own business in the future.

Lee Richardson, Minories Toyota, Newcastle Road, Sunderland

 

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Jade Royal

Category: Business & Administration NVQ Level 3

Job: Administration

Employer's story:

SAFC Foundation, the registered charity of Sunderland Football Club, fully supports apprentice and trainee schemes, and has appointed several of the trainees from our schemes as permanent employees at the Foundation.

Jade Royal has been with us on an apprenticeship via Milltech for almost two years, during this time Jade has come on leaps and bounds and become a valuable member of the administration team, supporting several managers. There are enormous advantages with having trainees including the opportunity to get to know someone before offering them employment, the skills that the trainee can bring from the courses they are taking and the benefits of training someone from scratch.

We are extremely pleased with the progress Jade has made and believe Jade has benefited from the real-work experience of the Foundation.

Melanie Ayre, Sunderland Associated Football Club

Learner's Story:

"Before I joined Milltech I was unemployed and was finding it hard to find a job as I had no work experience. I heard about Milltech through Connexions while I was looking through the job vacancies so I sent them my CV.

Milltech invited me along for an Interview as I was successful they sent me for a few interviews with different companies, my first job was in a Dr's Surgery. However found this was not for me, very soon Milltech found me an alternative position and I finally got the job at Sunderland Associated Football Club Foundation. I have been here nearly two years and really enjoy it.

I will soon complete my Business & Administration NVQ apprenticeship level 3, just one more test and unit to complete, so should be qualified by February 2010. I found the work quite easy for my qualification as it was always around something that I had or did at work. I also enjoy my day release once every two weeks as it is a break from work, and though some of the training can be boring most was alright and the Tutor made learning fun. It wasn't at all like being back at school as you felt more relaxed and treated as an equal."

Jade Royal

 

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Jennifer Smith

Category: Business & Administration NVQ Level 3

Job: Administration

Employer's story:

Jennifer Smith has been working for SAFC Foundation as part of the Football Development team for the past 18 months as the office administrator.

It has been Jennifer's responsibility to set policies and procedures within the office to enable her to manage the office in an effective and productive way. Jennifer's daily tasks have included-

• Customer service
• Finance policies and procedures
• Setting up databases
• Attending meetings and taking notes
• Taking bookings and client information
• File management
• Complaints procedures

In the past 12 months since Jennifer has undertaken the Milltech course, she has a new found confidence which has enabled her to conduct herself within her job in a more professional manner. She now prioritises tasks and works efficiently across departments, with the finance department, having noticed a marked improvement in attention to detail which eliminates problems occurring. In our opinion Jen has developed greatly in recent months and has now moved into a new job role in another department but will be sorely missed from Football Development Department.

Graham Robinson, Sunderland Associated Football Club

 

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Daniel Murray

Category: Business & Administration

Job: IT/Administrator.

Learner's Story:

I joined Milltech wanting to be a Mechanical engineer I started a Motor vehicle NVQ programme and got a placement in a local garage. It was rather boring and to be honest I didn't enjoy getting my hands dirty.

I then heard of an opportunity to work with PC's, this was something I had always wanted to do since leaving school, fortunately after an initial interview with ‘Jardine's' I was offered the position and have been with them ever since.

It is a much better place, a warm office and I get paid more, it is also fun working with computer software/hardware and getting to know how the company works. After a few months I started to feel much more confident with my role and could be left alone to get on with my job. Now I am part of the team and it is all thanks to Gemma and Milltech for getting me here.

I am currently doing my Business & Administration NVQ 3 having completed level 2. I also enjoy using the ENVQ system as it is quicker and easier and it also means I can access work easily from home.

Daniel Murray, Information Technology Service Administrator, Lancaster PLC.

Employer's story:

The success of the IT Service Desk Environment relies largely on the success of the individuals working in the team. We had successfully made two recruitments from the candidates that Milltech referred to us in the past, both of which have proven to be great members of the team.

When a new position opened up, we had no hesitation in working with Milltech to shortlist a number of candidates for the service desk role. All were enrolled on Milltech's NVQ Level II Business & Admin course, and Milltech was able to give a comprehensive insight into the attitude and skills of both each candidate. Milltech were also able to help the candidates, explaining what the role with us entailed.

Initially on a 3 month probationary agreement, Daniel arrived with bags of enthusiasm to learn and impress and to date has been very successful, In no time at all, Daniel was competent enough with the day to day Service Desk calls/tasks to start fielding calls from our users unassisted.

We had no hesitation in recruiting him on a permanent basis. Daniel is always first to volunteer for new tasks and opportunities to drive his own training forward, easily completing his level II qualification before the due date. He has recently embarked on his level III qualification with the full backing and support of the team around him.

Stuart Bailey, IT Service Desk Team Leader, Lancaster PLC I.T Dept.

 

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Meghan Amber Rose Turnbull

Category: Business & Administration

Job: Administration & Reception.

Office: Sunderland City Learning Centre, Southmoor Community School

Managers Story:

Line Manager: Ann McLoughlin - Centre Administrator

Working in the Reception area Meghan provides a friendly and efficient welcome to all visitors to the centre. Meghan has excellent customer service skills and a good common sense awareness of Health and Safety and Safeguarding issues ensuring the safety and well being of both adults and pupils visiting the centre. Meghan recently completed the Local Authority online Culture and Diversity training achieving 100% in Customer Care in a Diverse Environment, Communicating with a Diverse Community, Community and Equality sections of the programme. Meghan provides friendly and helpful support not only to staff and visitors to the centre but also to those contacting the centre via telephone or email. An example of the effect of Meghan’s communication and customer care skills is given below.

"I just thought I would drop you a line about the service Meghan your new apprentice is giving to your organisation. Whenever I ring to speak to your colleagues Gavin Wilson or Neil Stephenson, I have had a really friendly but professional voice answer the phone (Meghan). I have found Meghan to be very helpful when I have to speak to your colleagues regarding IT equipment i.e. if Meghan can't get them on the phone straight away she will always endeavour to find them for me and then put me through or take a message which I know gets to the relevant person. This makes the whole process of getting to the right person a very good experience.

What more can I say but please pass my sincere thanks to Megan as she is a credit to your organisation."

Brad Denton

IT Procurement for Corporate & Government.

 

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