It's National Apprenticeship Week, so we sat down with some of our apprentices to ask them what it is really like being a STAR apprentice. Ollie and James are currently STAR Apprentices and Joe was once a STAR apprentice but has since gone on to secure a job as a multi-skilled plumber.
Why did you choose an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to put all the theory you learn into practice as you are learning it. Apprenticeships also give you the ability to integrate yourself into industry and the work environment much earlier which builds professional experience before you have qualified. Ollie and James explained that the reason an apprenticeship appealed to them was the experience and learning opportunity it would give them with Ollie explaining he saw the role as a way to “further his skills”.
How did you become a STAR Apprentice?
Ollie and James both found out about the Apprentices at STAR through their college but Joe found it on Indeed whilst he was job searching.
How has the support from STAR and your manager been?
Everyone agreed that their managers have been very supportive of their journey so far and they feel they can always ask questions if they need to.
What are the challenges of being an apprentice?
STAR apprenticeships are unique in that they cover a wide range of skills and are not solely focused on one trade in particular. This is great for gaining a wide skill set within the repair industry however it does come with its challenges as there is a lot to learn!
Ollie and James overall felt that although the apprenticeship was challenging and it could sometimes be difficult learning so many different trades at once they mainly saw this as a positive as they have learnt skills they didn’t expect to. Both are on Plumbing apprenticeships however James said he has picked up a bit of plastering experience with Ollie saying he had learnt some carpentry. The hardest part all three agreed on was college work as they much prefer the practical side of the role, James explaining “the theory side is challenging”.
What has been your favourite thing about working at STAR?
Joe – “Gaining new skills”
James – “the flexible working”
Ollie – “the variety of things you do”
Do you think being an apprentice has helped in your career growth –
Joe “The apprenticeship I completed at STAR gave me the skills and qualifications I needed to go on to get a permanent job within the company”. Joe has also gone on to gain more qualifications and training since completing his apprenticeship which has allowed him to continue to work on his skill set and career.
What was it like having you own apprentice?
Once Joe had qualified he spent some time with Ollie as his apprentice, he said this was “really good but odd being the other way around”, Ollie enjoyed his time with Joe but has since moved on to work with another operative. Joe explained this was because “I had not long finished my apprenticeship so it wasn’t fair for Ollie to stay with me”. Although Ollie is now being supervised by an operative with more years’ experience than Joe, Ollie said “he really enjoyed learning from Joe as an ex apprentice and they always had a laugh”.
Would you recommend applying to be a STAR apprentice and why –
Ollie recommended becoming an apprentice at STAR for those looking for a multiskilled role.
Do all your friends ask you to do jobs around their houses?
Yes, all the time!!
Did you become a "tradie" on purpose or was it an accident?
All three had always wanted a career within the trade industry
What do you do outside of work?
Joe “I like to socialise with friends”
Ollie “Outside of my apprenticeship I also work at a pub”
James “Outside of my apprenticeship I also work at a supermarket”
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