Apprentice Stories
Amber – Apprentice Business Support Officer
I joined Test Valley Borough Council in September 2022 as an Apprentice Business Support Officer within the Environmental Service. I am currently studying a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship at Andover College which means I split my time working at Test Valley 4 days a week and I am at college 1 day. I really enjoy doing it this way as I feel the face-to-face teaching gives me so much support. I also enjoy the social setting. I chose to do an apprenticeship because I wanted to gain office experience and improve my IT skills. Doing an apprenticeship meant I would gain both that and a qualification!
My role is to support other colleagues both within the team and wider department. This means sorting and providing work such as Bulky Waste, Clinical Waste, Assisted bin collections and much more. Every week my team leader shares these tasks out to the team, meaning each week is different! My key responsibilities are managing the stationery for our department as well as our Recycling Stars Facebook page!
Test Valley has offered me so many opportunities to expand my learning with different training courses both online and face-to-face. I’ve also had the opportunity to shadow other departments and gain a good understanding of the Council as a whole. My team leader and manager are always supporting me with my apprenticeship, ensuring I’m gaining the skills and evidence which I need for my qualification. Everyone is so kind and helpful which creates such a family feel.
I have gained so many new IT and general life skills during my apprenticeship. My confidence has grown, especially on the telephone. Telephone calls was something which I had really struggled with in the past.
I would highly recommend an apprenticeship to others for multiple reasons such as expanding your skills, gaining experience, and achieving a qualification whilst in a workplace environment.