#National Apprenticeship Week;

Jodie Crowfoot

Apprenticeships – Providing a rich experience of life

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After viewing several universities, Jodie Crowfoot decided at 18 that higher education wasn’t for her and decided to apply for a two year business administration apprenticeship with Dorset Council.

“I also had a part-time job with Argos and I liked earning money, so felt this was a good route for me.”

She worked in the Chief Executive’s office under former DC boss David Jenkins, providing general secretarial support, before moving to Children’s Services.

Passing with distinction, Jodie had to provide evidence-based work, which included presentations and assignments, followed by a discussion with an assessor.

“I think the apprenticeship gave me structure and an understanding of why you were doing different things. It also gave me confidence and it was great to be doing this with a peer group of 20 other apprentices. We were able to ask one another questions, help each other out. One of my best friends is someone who was on that apprentice course and, like me, she still works at Dorset Council.” Continue reading “Apprenticeships – Providing a rich experience of life” →

Lisa Trickey, Dorset Council apprentice

National Apprenticeship Week: Lisa Trickey – A 30 year career in digital

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A clerical apprenticeship at Dorset Council has helped pave the way for a 30 year career in digital technology for Lisa Trickey.

Lisa, who is currently Head of Digital Strategy and Design, says the apprenticeship has been brilliant, helping progress her career while seeking new qualifications.

Her love of all things digital started at an early age and she remembers fondly the first BBC school’s computer introduced and fascinated as computer code turned into images.

Back in the early 1990’s, Lisa was a student at Purbeck School, she embarked on a City and Guilds for Business course at what’s now Bournemouth and Poole College and was studying for A level maths. Continue reading “National Apprenticeship Week: Lisa Trickey – A 30 year career in digital” →

Joanna, new apprentice at Dorset Council

National Apprenticeship Week: A view from new digital apprentices

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Working at Dorset Council is an ideal place for two new digital apprentices, Joanna Holmes and Jade House, who joined Dorset Council in the autumn.

Joanna has been really impressed with how friendly and helpful people have been in the Digital Team: “There’s no such thing as a stupid question and they encourage us to ask questions and learn.

“When we arrived, to help us settle in we had weekly apprentice catch-ups with our Senior Content Designers (Susie and Natalie), which was really helpful.”

And Jade, who has ADHD and Asperger’s, feels they have made reasonable adjustments to help her settle into the team well. Jade said: “If they send a message, they’ll put a smiley face, to show the tone.” Continue reading “National Apprenticeship Week: A view from new digital apprentices” →

National Apprenticeship Week logo

National Apprenticeship Week

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National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from February 6-12, is a great chance to celebrate opportunities available at Dorset Council and the benefits and values of completing one.

This year’s theme is “Skills for Life”, focussing on the skills that can be learnt by completing an apprenticeship and how these skills will last a lifetime and help develop careers.

We have three case studies that we’ll be promoting next week, ranging from new apprentices who joined the local authority last autumn, to those whose careers have been kick-started by an apprenticeship and who are now playing prominent roles in our shared care record and the digital and change environment. We also have one exciting announcement to make….

Ends