“This year’s theme is Skills for Life, and it is certainly true that my own apprenticeship set me up with skills that I have used across a career in industry and in academia, so an apprenticeship could take your own career in new and enriching direction.”
Prof Colin Bailey, President and Principal.
National Apprenticeship Week 2024 took place in February. The theme, 'Skills for Life', meant there was a particular focus on how apprenticeships help Queen Mary staff develop skills to build a rewarding career, and businesses to nurture a talented workforce equipped with future-ready skills, especially in the context of Strategy 2030.
The highlight of the week was the Staff Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony. It was a chance to reflect on the positive impact of apprenticeships, and the effort that goes into staff development at Queen Mary. Many congratulations to this year's winners, who are listed below.
Tanisha joined the administrative team in the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science in September 2022. Her colleagues admire her friendly, supportive personality, and the courage and tenacity with which she has approached some difficult conversations and large projects. Tanisha's nomination described how she has changed the dynamic of her team with her keen willingness to learn, and has shown so much positivity and commitment, that she has been asked to mentor the team’s next apprentice.
Neal, who is an Apprentice Mechanical Workshop Technician, completed the first year of his apprenticeship in August 2023. He received outstanding end-of-year feedback from his tutors, who described him as 'top of his class', 'totally focused', 'a quick learner', and having the potential to do very well in his career. Neal's manager mentioned the way he consistently supports others in the workplace, and has become a highly valued member of his team.
Jamie is recognised within his department as a hugely positive and supportive individual, who consistently goes out of his way to help staff and students in his role as Laboratory Technician. He is developing his role to act as an interface between students and academic staff. Jamie has recently increased his responsibilities, and been instrumental in writing new standard operating procedures. He has advocated for technicians and apprentices on Technician Day, spoken passionately about sustainability to postgraduate students, and steered the teaching laboratories to achieve the bronze LEAF Award. Jamie consistently works with Strategy 2030 in mind, ensuring that purchases are made with both financial and sustainable considerations.
Since joining his team, Matthew has brought in a wealth of experience, which has created alignment and reshaped many of the processes previously in place. He has navigated challenging historical relationships successfully and brought a fresh perspective, which his team has hugely appreciated. Matthew's nomination described his ambitious plans for his career development, which his apprenticeship is helping him achieve.
Frances' apprentice was interested in becoming a qualified lawyer, so she worked tirelessly to find options which would allow her apprentice to train while continuing to work at Queen Mary. Frances spent months researching and reaching out to other law clinics, eventually finding the apprenticeship programme. She has supported her apprentice’s learning with enthusiasm, excitement, and conviction from the very start, and her apprentice's appreciation for her effort was clearly shown in her nomination.
Nadia has taken special care to ensure her apprentice feels welcome and included in her new team. Nadia's apprentice has found her positivity and clear passion for the field inspiring, and has felt supported through every stage of her learning, gaining achievements far beyond what she expected.
Matthew has played a key role in attaining two staff apprentices for the cyber security team, taking on the role of mentor to both. His belief in the benefits of cyber security apprenticeships is evident. Matthew's mentees have felt his genuine interest in their development, and his nomination expressed how he takes the time to understand each of their unique strengths and goals. His dedication to their success has motivated and inspired them through their learning.
Claire stepped in after her apprentice’s previous mentor left Queen Mary. The time and effort she has put into supporting her apprentice since taking on the role has been truly commendable. Claire has met fortnightly with her apprentice, met regularly with her apprentice’s tutor, and shown enthusiasm around enhancing her apprentice's learning experience, for which he has expressed his appreciation.
Becky has been an apprentice mentor, consistently giving diligent and conscious support to her apprentice. Despite her own heavy workload, Becky's apprentice has always felt listened to and supported, and that her interests and aspirations are key to the mentoring she receives. Becky has given regular training sessions to her apprentice, with the perfect balance of guidance and encouraging independence. This has led to her being asked to manage her team’s next apprentice. It is clear that the importance of apprenticeships at Queen Mary are a key component of the work that Becky does.
David has been a continuous supporter of staff apprenticeships in IT Services. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience spanning decades at Queen Mary. To name just a couple of points raised in his nomination: David has played a pivotal role in the acquisition of apprenticeships, since a time when they were little known at Queen Mary. Furthermore, it is due to David's tireless efforts that several colleagues under his supervision have gone on to attain permanent roles within IT Services. His dedication to the professional development of his colleagues is truly inspirational, as is his wholehearted support of apprenticeships in IT Services.