Championing
young talent
We caught up with our Customer Services Apprentice, Kaydn, to chat all about his experience of our early careers programme, from his passion for learning on the job to his day-to-day responsibilities.
Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?
“At school I always knew I wanted to get into work after my GCSEs rather than going to sixth form or college. In Year 11, I started working as a roofer and realised I preferred the working environment to revising and exams. I started looking for an apprenticeship and found the Customer Services Apprenticeship with Wates and decided to go for it as it seemed like a great way to get stuck into work.”
What does your role involve?
“I know everyone says this but every day is different. I have two customers that I look after day-to-day, organising pre-planned maintenance or other works that need to be completed, speaking to everyone involved. Every customer and what they need from us is different, so it keeps me busy.
“As part of my apprenticeship, I do coursework, which I do in my own time on study days. Finding a balance between that and my work can be challenging and I have struggled at times but it does get easier the more you do it and there is lots of support.”
What do you enjoy the most about your apprenticeship?
“I’ve been lucky to work for a lot of different customers and I’ve worked with lots of different teams. This has given me the chance to meet and learn from new people across the business, helping me to develop my skills. I’ve been trusted to carry out my tasks independently since day one, which has made me feel like an important part of the team from the beginning.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking of applying for our early careers programme?
“Definitely go for it. I’d advise everyone in school and college to consider an apprenticeship. I think it’s important to think about what you really want from your career; I knew I wanted something that didn’t revolve around studying and I wanted to start work as soon as I was, which not everyone is ready for at that age.
“I’ve had a really positive start to my career, and I’ve had the chance to learn and earn at the same time, which I hope will set me up for success in the future. I’m looking forward to completing my Level 2 apprenticeship in early 2024 and seeing what the future holds.”
‘As Customer Care Team Leader, it is highly rewarding for me to have the ability to offer individuals the chance to enhance their knowledge and skills, advance in their careers, or enter a new profession in a different and more accessible way. If a company is considering it, there are numerous advantages to hiring an apprentice, such as improving and developing the skills of team members, providing hands-on training, supporting career growth, and increasing the talent pool. Additionally, there are societal benefits to apprenticeships as well, as they can serve as a means to broaden access to a profession, promote diversity in the workplace, and enhance social mobility. Participating in an apprenticeship scheme, where an individual is trained and works alongside the Customer Care Team, has greatly enhanced the team’s performance and resilience. As an employer, I strongly recommend engaging in such a programme.’- Kieran Gilbert – Customer Care Team Leader
