Lillie Tempest-Routledge recently completed her Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration, so we caught up with her to ask her about her learner journey and her plans for the future – plus, find out what her best experience was and why she chose a giraffe to represent her learner journey!
“I developed professionally in many ways during my apprenticeship, within my EPA I developed further by gaining project management experience due to having to showcase this skill as well as team working. I also gained more involvement in planning and decision making from my project. Work shadowing played a crucial part of my professional growth.”
Before I joined Ixion in April 2019, I was a Pre-school Room Leader at a local nursery. I had worked in childcare for three years, prior to working at the nursery my job was a teaching assistant in a primary school where I gained a qualification in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools. I decided I would like a change in my career path and find a better opportunity to grow and pursue other goals.
Due to already having experience within a office environment I thought furthering my knowledge and skills within a new area would be beneficial for my career development. When looking at a potential career change I did research and enquired about starting a university course but the expense of the course put me off, whereas with a apprenticeship you gain access to a company you want to work in and relevant experience as well as a qualification – and with Ixion I was promised a job at the end of my business administration apprenticeship.
Completing my coursework and researching different areas of my tasks including what a PESTLE analysis is and the different organisation structures, I found the theory and knowledge side of the apprenticeship very interesting.
I found the most challenging part of the whole of my apprenticeship was preparing for my End Point Assessment (EPA) and the multiple choice test, as I find written tests hard and my weak area – whereas speaking and presenting is my stronger area.
I developed professionally in many ways during my apprenticeship, within my EPA I developed further by gaining project management experience due to having to showcase this skill as well as team working. I also gained more involvement in planning and decision making from my project. Work shadowing played a crucial part of my professional growth.
With my apprenticeship and certain areas of the tasks I gained more self-confidence and the ability to believe I can succeed and that I am able to pursue ambitious goals.
This definitely has to be completing a live interview on BBC Radio 4, this experience was incredibly nerve racking but a one-off experience that not many people have the opportunity to do in their life.
Throughout the whole of my learning journey, from day one my Manager Denise Bull supported me and always ensured I had the correct equipment and time to complete my apprenticeship. Denise was always ready to assist me in any way that she could, always full of encouragement.
Despite the fact Coronavirus stopped my face-to-face visits with my tutor, the support did not stop! My tutor supported me throughout the whole of lockdown and ensured I was coping and managing my apprenticeship coursework. Coronavirus did not stop me completing my EPA and achieving my grade, I successfully passed my apprenticeship during lockdown!
Since completing my apprenticeship in September I have taken on more responsibilities and now work alongside marketing as well as my receptionist/admin job role, therefore my new job title is “Receptionist at Chelmsford Head Office and Marketing Coordinator.”
Yes definitely, as you receive a recognised qualifications as well as experience whilst completing the apprenticeship and receive a wage. Within the company you will also gain independence and respect as a valued member of staff. Also developing your skills and improving yourself will play a key role in your future.
Interesting, educational, helpful, beneficial, and insightful.
An animal to sum up my learning journey would have to be a giraffe due to its special ability to be able to see great distances. I always plan ahead and ensure I meet deadlines and balance my work load due to ensure each day in the future has a plan. Giraffes are also a symbol of foresight, knowing what’s ahead because of their long necks.
‘We are the Champions’ as the song’s meaning is that we are all champions and to keep fighting despite obstacles, and during my apprenticeship there has been many obstacles but I have pushed through them all and overcome each barrier resulting in successfully achieving my qualification!
Disclaimer: This video is from an external source and doesn’t have subtitles.