It’s National Apprenticeship Week and here at Digital Dorset, we are very proud to have our very own apprentice digital community manager, Mia Green.
Mia, 18, was studying Media at Brockenhurst College when she realised a future in higher education wasn’t for her.
In this blog, Mia, from Wimborne, explains why an apprenticeship was the right way for her to start her career.
“University was the real focus of my college and for most of my fellow students, but I knew instinctively it wasn’t the right path for me.
“I have always loved working and always knew from school-age that I wanted to go straight into work.
“And being an independent person, the thought of another three years of education before joining ‘working world’ just didn’t feel right.
“It was then I began looking into apprenticeships and I was incredibly lucky that at the same time Digital Dorset advertised the vacancy for an apprentice digital community manager.
“This apprenticeship really appealed to me as I love talking to new people and helping people in any way I can.
“Also, as part of my college course, we examined digital exclusion and I found it not only very interesting but also very surprising.
“Coming from a generation of digital natives it is not something that I had even considered existed. It never entered my mind that there are people out there who either do not have the skills to be digital or cannot afford it.
“When I saw the statistics of just how many people in our country are not online, I was intrigued.
“To then see an apprenticeship near me, in my county, where I could really help change people’s lives and help tackle this digital exclusion – well, it felt like fate!”
Mia’s main role as an apprentice digital community manger is to facilitate a new and exciting training programme that will help more Dorset residents get online.
Called the Embedded Digital Champion programme, this free training is for all frontline workers so they can help their customers and users access their online services. Mia explains:
“Our training provides the tools needed to help frontline staff and volunteers help their customers and users get online and serve themselves.
“The goal is to recruit 1,000 people across Dorset to become embedded digital champions and help get more of our residents accessing the very important services that are now online.
“Our learners are given access to their very own community site, where they not only access their activities for the training, but they can continue to talk to one another and share experiences after the training has finished.
“I’m very proud to manage this site and my apprenticeship teaches me what it takes to be a digital community manager.”
In addition to helping spearhead this innovative training programme, Mia is also combining this busy role with her apprenticeship training:
“I meet with my mentor every few weeks and we will have a two to three hour session where he teaches me new skills and different ways of doing things in management.
“I have recently finished modules is conflict management and communication techniques. Both are extremely useful and have given me great transferable skills.
“As well as my sessions I also have to complete off the job training. This makes up 20% of my working week which is one full day. For some apprenticeships this could be a day in college but for me it’s day of tackling work set by my mentor, research or extra training – anything that isn’t part of my day-to-day job.”
Now that Mia has been in the role for eight months, does she feel the on-the-job experience and the training is the right balance?
“I enjoy being busy and having lots to do so it’s definitely the right balance for me. The project I work on is very busy, and we have a lot on most weeks, so I set aside time in advance to focus on my apprenticeship work. This way I can keep on top of both my full-time job and apprenticeship training.
“I’m learning new things every day.”
“I have learnt so much through doing an apprenticeship. I don’t believe in school you are prepared for how different the working world is.
“The first few weeks are daunting and take a lot of brain power to get used to, but it is so worth it! I have learnt how to confidently contribute in large group settings, I have gained skills in public speaking and presenting, and I have learnt the essential processes that make a project successful.
“I have a new-found love of training and helping people learn not only from us, the trainers, but from each other. I learn new things every day and not just through my apprenticeship but through my colleagues and being in a work environment.
Proud to be playing a part in tackling digital exclusion.
“I’ve really have enjoyed learning about all different walks of life and working in a team that’s focus is digital skills and exclusion.
“My eyes have been opened to how big of an issue the digital divide is and how it will only get worse if nothing is changed. I’m incredibly proud to be playing my part in helping to tackle it.”
Finally, would Mia recommend the apprenticeship route?
“I couldn’t be more of an advocate for being an apprentice. I think it’s one of the best options when leaving school, not only do you earn while you learn but you gain three years of job experience that you may not get by going to Uni. I couldn’t be more thankful for getting this opportunity and wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on taking theirs!”
I have worked in communications for 25 years, first as a journalist and then in public and private sector public relations. From Southampton originally, I have lived in beautiful Dorset for the last two decades. My passion for Dorset has also turned into a passion for landscape photography. My other great loves are my family and Southampton Football Club.