Modern Apprenticeships - one student's story

Apprenticeships provide work based training to those who want to learn new skills and gain qualifications while working. Apprenticeships make organisations more effective, competent, productive and competitive and are designed to help employers get the right people with the skills needed for their business to succeed.

With 250,000 apprentices on one of over 200 different Apprenticeships, they have never been more in demand amongst both potential apprentices and employers.

The apprenticeship programme was expanded in 2004 to include the Young Apprenticeship Programme for 14-16 year olds and adult over the age of 25. This means more than 130,000 employers are engaged in England alone.

One Modern Apprentice’s story

Apprentice Katie White has been working in the kitchen of top Liverpool restaurant Jury’s Inn. Katie is gaining practical experience to see if being a chef is a career she would like to pursue. Here is an account of her experience so far.

“My name is Katie White, I’m 15 years old and I go to St. Julies High School in Woolton. I have always been interested in cooking and knew from an early age that I wanted to be a chef.

I started the young apprentice scheme in 2008 when I was 14 and was given the opportunity of a work placement at Jury’s Inn in Liverpool. I was made welcome by everyone who worked there. Everyone there has taken the time to teach me new things that will help me on the path towards my chosen vocation.

I thoroughly enjoy working at my placement and the chefs, management team and other members of staff are lovely with me.

My tutors at Liverpool Community College are great and are very patient with the other pupils and myself. They take the time to speak to us all individually and communicate with us so we understand what we are doing.”

Katie’s tutor Bill Crompton said; “Katie is a very enthusiastic student who gives one hundred percent at all times. She is always very smartly turned out, very punctual and a team player. Katie is a delight to teach and is well liked by all her peers.”

James Rush, General Manager at Jury’s Inn wrote to Katie’s tutor to report on her progress so far:

Dear Mr. Crompton,

I would like to drop you a line on behalf of Head Chef Anish Thomas, myself and the team here at Jury’s Inn Liverpool, in relation to apprentice trainee Katie White. Katie is currently on placement with us and is quite simply outstanding in her job!

The commitment and determination that Katie has shown to the team and the hotel is matched by her positive attitude and can do approach. Anish reports regularly that Katie excels in her work and completes her duties to a very high standard. I can also add that Katie is always very polite, courteous and is a pleasure to work with on a daily basis. She comes into work early, is very keen and eager to learn as is reflected in her work.

If there is anything that we can do further to help support Katie in her role, please feel free to let us know – apart from that, we look forward to continuing working with Katie.

Yours sincerely,

James

James Rush | General Manager
Jury’s Inn Liverpool 
 

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