Pele is currently undertaking an Apprenticeship in Management – find out what he has learnt so far, how he has been applying it to his role and his plans for the future. Plus, find out why he chose a red panda to represent his learner journey!
“The most interesting part is just how many aspects of management there is, and it’s been really insightful learning everything you have to think about when managing a team or managing a person. A lot of the time you think of it as just getting the job done – there’s a lot more to it.”
I work in a sales office, I am normally out on the road (though Covid changed that a bit). I am a sales rep and I work for Thursday Cottage, we produce jams, marmalades, curds and preserves spreads and so I manage the brand and go out and try and sell it to independent stores and we’re also in wholesalers.
I’ve been here for seven years, once I finished college I started working here full time on the factory floor, then a sales admin job came up so I moved to the office doing tasks and processing orders. A year and a half ago I got promoted to a direct sales role so have worked my way up.
We’re based in Tiptree, a local company with a family feel, my mum works in the factory too – she got me the job here!
I was doing well in my role, and my manager asked if I wanted to progress and said we can put you on a management course to develop my skills of working in a team and running a team.
Our HR team work closely with Ixion, so my sales director would tell the HR team what I was looking for and the reason for it, and they looked at what Ixion had available and the management course was a great option.
Doing the management apprenticeship will hopefully lead to me managing a team of people and change my role.
I didn’t know much, I knew a little bit!
The most interesting part is just how many aspects of management there is, and it’s been really insightful learning everything you have to think about when managing a team or managing a person. A lot of the time you think of it as just getting the job done – there’s a lot more to it.
It’s all been a positive challenge as it’s all new things I have never had to think about before.
At the moment I support one person who is in the role I used to do, I have seen a change in how interact with them and what they do, so I think that has been the biggest change for me.
Personally it has developed the communication side of things, so the way I get things across to people or bring issues up with people – it’s my attitude and the way I communicate more than anything.
What impact do you think it will have on your career?
I think it’s definitely going to have a good impact on my career and CV. As I work in a family-led company that is keen on progression and promotion internally, people knowing I have completed this management course will have a good impact on future job roles for promotion.
Before the Apprenticeship I would rate my management skills before 6/10, on completion I think they will be a 9/10!
I have my tutor Kim who has been really good, she’s always there with anything I need. I’ve also got my Sales Director who Kim speaks to a lot to make sure I’m getting on OK. My Sales Director can lead me through things as she is experienced in her management role and can provide opinions and insights on subjects.
I have also been able to practice my management skills on my line report and have noticed a difference in my own communication.
I definitely would recommend the apprenticeship. It’s good for you to professionally see things in different ways and develop yourself in your job role.
New subjects and new topics that have been challenging but rewarding to learn about.
Fun to talk to and interact with, makes the whole experience and process easier and simper and is always there when I need her.
I would say a red panda, because they are intriguing and interesting like the course.
I would like my song to be ‘In the Air Tonight’ by Phil Collin because it takes a bit of patience and hard work to get to the best bit (passing units/topics of work course-wise) but once you do it’s so rewarding and worth it.
Disclaimer: This video is from an external source and subtitles are not available.
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