Emily, Housing Options and Homelessness

What is your role?

I am a Housing Options Business Support Apprentice.

When did you start here?

I started in August 2020 and I am due to complete in October 2021.

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

I chose to do an apprenticeship as I will be completing a qualification at the same time as earning money. University was an option however I preferred the idea of learning, earning and building a career sooner rather than later in life.

Did you come with GCSEs or A levels?

I joined with eight GCSEs including Maths and English and I also passed 3 A levels.

Did you have a clear idea of what you wanted to do?

After I had completed my A levels I still didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I was looking at apprenticeships rather than going to university and had heard that West Suffolk Council was a great place for that. I then applied for an apprenticeship here and am enjoying my role.

Why did you decide to work here?

A family friend also works for the council and had said it’s a great place to work, with great people and benefits so when I saw that there was an apprenticeship I applied.

What did you know about the council before you joined and what have you learnt about it so far?

I knew that the council provided services such as parking, housing and collecting bins but I didn’t know that there was so many other services that West Suffolk Council provided and that there was such a wide range of jobs available within them.

What apprenticeship are you undertaking, and do you have future plans?

I am doing a Business Administration apprenticeship. I don’t have any long-term career plans yet, but I am going to see where this apprenticeship takes me.

What do you enjoy about working here?

I like the working environment and how everyone is so welcoming and friendly. People couldn’t be more helpful and the working hours are flexible as well as the benefits that are available to staff.

Apart from your apprenticeship, have you had other opportunities to learn and develop, job-shadow or to be involved in different projects?

I have been involved in many training courses and am excited to see what other opportunities come up throughout my apprenticeship.

What advice would you give future applicants?

That working for such a large organisation may sound scary but there are many opportunities and events to get involved in and you’ll soon feel part of a team.