MARC celebrates apprenticeships for ‘National Apprenticeship Week’ #NAW2015 National Apprenticeship Week (NAW2015) - takes place from 9-13 March 2015, and is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. Supporting the event, the Manufactureres Association for Radiators and Convectors (MARC) will be showcasing real life apprenticeship career profiles. The profiles demonstrate how an apprenticeship can provide; qualifications, career progression, excitement and crucially the experience and opportunity to work in a real life environment.
Meet Barry Name: Barry Lynch Type of apprenticeship: YTS Year started/completed: 1994-1996 Current Company: Rettig ICC Position: Sales and marketing Director 1.
What encouraged you to do an apprenticeship in your chosen field?
Opportunity to continue with further education whilst gaining work experience, generic Business & Finance course was ideal whilst I decided what career I wanted to pursue.
2. What are the most important skills your apprenticeship has taught you? Commitment. Since leaving school I have spent 11 year pursuing further education, of this 9 years was via part-time study whilst working, this requires a great deal of commitment. The organisation I work for have supported me tremendously throughout and have funded all of my further education, this demonstrates a great deal of commitment. Leadership. It is all about the people. It is critically important that you have the right people; this is where we aim to gain a competitive advantage over our competitors. I take great pleasure in seeing individuals develop and progress through our organisation and achieve positions that they never thought they would reach.
3.
What opportunities has your apprenticeship provided you with?
I am still with the same organisation 21 years later and have worked across a number of disciplines and gained invaluable experience, from Administration to Sales and Marketing and everything in between. As well as this work experience I have undertaken the following courses since leaving school: • BTEC ND• BTEC HNC • BA Hons • Post Grad Certificate • MBA
4.
Could you describe what your typical working day entails?
A typical day always starts with a review of the daily order books (sales data). The rest of the day will involve a mix of internal and external elements.
5.
What has been your proudest achievement or highlight so far?
Getting the Sales & Marketing Director role and completing my MBA at Durham University.
6.
What advice would you give to young people unsure about an apprenticeship in your industry?
It is a perfect way to continue your education whilst gaining invaluable work experience. For further information contact: -Jo, jo@eua.org.uk, 01926 513728.
www.marcuk.com www.eua.org.uk
Notes for Editors: The Manufacturers’ Association of Radiators and Convectors (MARC) is a member organisation established to give a collective voice to the radiator and convector industry, focussing on the specific needs of, and issues faced by, manufacturers. MARC is a division of the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA).