HHIC 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 Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) will be showcasing a series of 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 Hannah Name: Hannah Hathaway Type of apprenticeship: Business administration Year started/completed: 2014 Company: Bosch 1.
What encouraged you to do an apprenticeship in your chosen field?
I felt as though getting an apprenticeship, would provide me with experience in the work place; and provide a more in depth knowledge within finance and business. It was a new experience and a more adult world to have the opportunity to grow in; and to understand the business environment whilst getting a qualification at the same time.
2. What are the most important skills your apprenticeship has taught you? So far I feel that my apprenticeship has taught me how to work efficiently, and prioritise work and still get everything done. Also accuracy, time management and quality of work are all important and benefit the way I work for the better.
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What has been your proudest achievement or highlight so far?
My proudest achievement so far in the six months I have been here, is to build up the confidence to speak to customers and deal with queries both via email and telephone. As this was a huge barrier for me I wasn’t confident with phone handling and I had never experienced it in a business environment after coming straight from school.
What do you most enjoy about your apprenticeship?
When I finish my apprenticeship my opportunities within the company would be to potentially gain employment. I have also had the opportunity to gain qualifications within business administration at level 2 and the level 3
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Could you describe what your typical working day entails?
A typical working day for me would be answering and dealing with queries via email, to avoid anything getting lost from not being followed up.
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What advice would you give to young people unsure about an apprenticeship in your industry?
I would say if you are unsure just get as much understanding and knowledge of the ranges of apprenticeships that can be offered, and just go with what you feel like you would enjoy and benefit from most. There’s no point in getting caught up in something if you don’t like it, go for what intrigues you most and just enjoy whatever you choose to do, if you like what you do you will see huge improvements in your own abilities.
Also I would work on my PDCA which are the claims that need to be processed by the end of the week - these can range from only 8 claims to over 20. I will also sometimes approve opportunities, and on a Thursday carry out the payment run; which allows our customers to be paid. Also I will deal with t elephone queries regarding my customers, and log all the incoming claims so we can track them on the system, and operate on our 4 week turn around.
For further information contact: -Jo, jo@eua.org.uk, 01926 513728. www.eua.org.uk www.centralheating.co.uk Notes for Editors: The Heating & Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) is a member organisation committed to supporting and promoting the sustained growth of the UK domestic heating and hot water industry. HHIC represents the industry at all levels, networks across the industry, Government and beyond, facilities a range of market development activities and research. It also provides technical expertise. HHIC is a division of the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA).