National Apprenticeship Week: 'Learning while working just made more sense' 

Yusuf Miah, audio-visual apprentice technician, Church House Westminster

Why did you choose to go down the apprenticeship route? 

I did four weeks at the University of Greenwich doing a film course and I straight away did not feel it was the route for me. So I decided to look for similar fields and it led me to AV. The best route for me was to go down the apprenticeship route.

How do you feel about being an apprentice? What are the highs/lows?

Being an apprentice is a valuable experience. It gives you the opportunity to explore and learn about different practices within the industry via online lessons as well as having the opportunity to run events and have a hands-on experience.

My standout moment was operating as vision mixer, data engineer and live stream operator in an external event where I was controlling seven screens, an LED wall and livestream all at once. It proved to be challenging, but it was a good opportunity to showcase what I have learned to date.

What would you say to a business owner who is thinking about taking on an apprentice?

I would encourage anyone who is able to, to bring on apprentices. In my experience it has proved to be both helpful for the apprentice and the employer. The apprentice gains an opportunity to learn new skills while the employer gains an asset, a blank canvas which they can mould to be great at what they do.

What are your ambitions for your events career?

I’ve just been offered a permanent role at Church House Westminster as an AV Technician!

Ellis Madle, audio and visual technician, IET London: Savoy Place

Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your apprenticeship? 

I’m Ellis Madle, and I’m 19. I started my apprenticeship two days after I my A-Levels, so I didn’t have a break and went straight into work. I work as an audio and visual technician for IET London: Savoy Place and I get to work on the audios and graphics for the events we host at the venue.  

What does a typical day look like for you as an audio and visual technician apprentice? 

There’s not really a typical day as the tasks and clientele change from day to day and you can be operating an event or working on the floor troubleshooting problems or helping clients in meeting rooms. This variable routine makes working at the IET that little bit more exciting. 

Why did you choose to go down the apprenticeship route?  

I felt that hands on experience within this industry was a better route for me over university as it gives you a leg up when coming up to employers. Not only do you get industry recognised qualifications, but you also get a few years of experience to comment on as well. Learning whilst working just seemed to make more sense to me. 

How do you feel about being an apprentice? What are the highs/lows? 

Being an apprentice can be challenging as you have to manage a full-time job whilst also completing objectives and assignments for college however, you’ll find colleagues and tutors are more than willing to help out with various tasks and guidance. One of the highlights of being an apprentice is the wide variety of tasks you get to do, whether it be training courses with the team or just being seen as another member of the AV team. 

What would you say to a business owner who is thinking about taking on an apprentice?   

If you can facilitate a few weeks for an apprentice to get settled in and learn the ropes of the company, bringing in an apprentice can be very rewarding. They may also learn various things at college or from fellow apprentices that they bring to the workplace and help it thrive and improve.   

What are your ambitions for your events career?   

My current ambitions are to progress within this company and industry before then turning to theatres which will hopefully lead to grander music events and getting to explore the world through international events taking everything I’ve learnt from the IET.   

How has your apprenticeship shaped your career goals? 

This apprenticeship has definitely shaped the next few steps for my career as it has showed the various roles that AV can take you; and they all seem very intriguing. From cruise ships the theatres to Corporate to Schematic building, it’s a wide industry with many exciting routes. Working with colleagues that have been in various places within the industry have also helped give me ideas for later stages in my career progression. 

What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them? 

Time management was a massive challenge at the start as I had to get used to getting home from work and pushing myself to carry on with college, however as soon as I allowed time - whether it be with a colleague at work or sitting down on a weekend - everything became a lot more manageable.  

Destiny Scully, business coordinator, QEII Centre 

Why did you choose to go down the apprenticeship route? 

I found that my apprenticeship gave me the ability to gain practical hands-on experience while increasing my knowledge and learning from my peers. 

How do you feel about being an apprentice? What are the highs/lows? 

Being an apprentice is great. I can push myself, expand my knowledge about the organisation and the role, gain invaluable insights into the sector and build a good relationship with my team, alongside earning and working towards a qualification 

Working and keeping up with coursework can feel busy at times, but this feeling has lessened as I have gained more self-confidence in my role. 

What would you say to a business owner who is thinking about taking on an apprentice? 

Taking on an apprentice is a great way for the business to show that they want to encourage younger generations into a career in meetings and events, and actively contribute to helping employees develop in their careers. Apprentices, in my experience, are eager to learn and progress, with new ideas, and they can bring a fresh perspective to the table. 

What are your ambitions for your events career? 

I would like to gain further qualifications and expand my knowledge of the sector. I’m very grateful to have this experience, and looking forward to seeing where it can take me.

Samuel Derdoski, weddings and banqueting manager, De Vere Horsley Estate 

Why did you choose to go down the apprenticeship route? 

I didn’t go to university, and I felt an apprenticeship would allow me to gain the experience and accreditation in the industry to build my career.    

How do you feel about being an apprentice? What are the highs/lows? 

The highs outweigh any lows in the apprenticeship. Some of my highs are the learning itself, I have found the courses really interesting and also engaging. You get to meet other people from different parts of the business in the workshops too which has allowed me to better understand how all the different teams operate. There’s also no better feeling than passing your final exams, knowing that the hard work and dedication has paid off.

What are your ambitions for your events career? 

My ambition is to become an operations manager. Since I first started work in hospitality eight years ago I’ve always been focused on the next step. I have previously completed my Hospitality Manager, Level 4 apprenticeship which helped me to achieve my role as wedding and banqueting manager at De Vere Horsley Estate, a big milestone in my career. I’m now in the process of completing my Operations Manager, Level: 5 apprenticeship which will hopefully allow me to gain the skills to progress further.  

Humawon Hussain, chef de rang, The Celtic Manor Resort, The Celtic Collection  

Why did you choose to go down the apprenticeship route? 

After looking into various career options, I found that starting an apprenticeship was more suited towards my career goals. Work-based learning is a great way for me to learn from my peers who are experts within their field and enable me to apply my learnings in my day-to-day work.    

How do you feel about being an apprentice? What are the highs/lows? 

Being an apprentice within The Celtic Collection is a great opportunity, I have the opportunity to work in the prestigious Celtic Manor Resort and have the opportunity to learn from a team who are incredibly passionate and have a wealth of knowledge of the hospitality sector. It is also an opportunity for me to gain a qualification, whilst earning a living wage. There is just an element of making sure that the combination of this does not impact on my work life balance. 

What would you say to a business owner who is thinking about taking on an apprentice? 

I would say that apprenticeships offer great career options for the next generation of workers, but it also demonstrates that a business is committed to developing their people and the future talent pool. 

What are your ambitions for your events career? 

I want to continue with my learning and development so that I can move on to the next level qualification, which will hopefully lead to career development and promotion within The Celtic Collection.