Michael Foster – Achieving a distinction and gaining management skills
Michael Foster, who recently achieved a distinction in his Operations/Departmental Manager Level 5 Apprenticeship, talks to us about his role as Senior Advisor for Shaw Trust, and how the apprenticeship has helped him hone his management skills.
“The Operations/Departmental Manager Level 5 Apprenticeship was a natural progression to improve my personal development and learn new things that will benefit both myself and Shaw Trust in the work that I do.“
I am currently working as a Senior Advisor on Shaw Trust’s Live Well Kent contract.
I started off working on a learning disability project which was social services funded. I progressed to an Employment Advisor on the first Kent County Council funded rehabilitation employment project in Kent. Finally, I became a Senior Advisor, where I manage staff across two sites in Kent.
As people, I believe that we are constantly developing and learning new things. The Operations/Departmental Manager Level 5 Apprenticeship was a natural progression to improve my personal development and learn new things that will benefit both myself and Shaw Trust in the work that I do.
What I have done is take certain aspects of what I have learnt, and used this to develop the clients that we work with through various workshops. By staying up to date with various techniques it has meant that the service we offer is innovative and successful.
I have really enjoyed supporting both clients and staff with their development and learning. I also enjoy reviewing staff continuing professional development plans at monthly one to ones.
I would say that I have always been approachable in my role, but now I am able to self-reflect on my performance as a manager and the impact my decisions may have on the team.
A big shoutout to Iain Branch and Nicky Steele as they were great whenever I had to seek clarification for anything. Iain kept to all arranged appointments, and we had many sessions in the evening where we could focus on the bulk load of the work and fit it in around working patterns.
Continuing professional development is very important, and it is great that Shaw Trust invest in all their staff, I would highly recommend undertaking an apprenticeship.
This is a very hard one to answer because I love my role in Shaw Trust. I get to manage and develop staff and I am still able to work with clients. Every day is different and that keeps the energy going. When we see people that have been out of work for years go on and sustain employment and speak about how their life has changed for the better it is truly priceless. I would like to think whatever step that I take next will still be within the Shaw Trust family.
Enlightening, progressive, realistic, relevant and priceless.
Fair, knowledgeable, honest, understanding and approachable.
Probably a cockroach because at times you must show resilience when juggling a variety of demands. However now my learning has finished I am more like a fennec fox and on the lookout for the next stage of my development.
Simply the Best by Tina Turner because the training offered is of such a high standard.
We offer a range of apprenticeships from entry-level to senior management. Find out you can upskill in your role.