Going back to my roots
At SGN, we believe that development is important at any stage of your career. Caroline, Head of Talent and Development, is proof of that. Here’s what she's been up to.
How it started
The first four years of my working life was spent as an apprentice in the Nuclear Industry. I wore green overalls and steel-toe capped boots. I achieved a HNC in Mechanical & Production Engineering and a couple of years later, I decided I wanted a Psychology degree. I went back to college and did a part-time course over five years but I haven’t bothered with any other formal education since.
Going back to my roots
Recently, I’ve decided I wanted to go back to my roots and I’ve just started a Level 7 Apprenticeship (this is equivalent to a master’s degree) with Cranfield Business School – yes you read that right - even the business schools run apprenticeships now!
The exciting thing for me about this programme is that I can learn in many different ways. The programme is in traditional classroom form, online, working in groups with people from other companies as well as SGN, being coached one to one, working with my manager and applying real projects back into the business.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships have changed a lot from my early career, especially in the last 4-5 years. They aren’t focused on their traditional industrial origins anymore and they can apply to any stage of your career. I’m 59 years of age and delighted to say that there is ALWAYS more to learn!
The best apprenticeships are now leading the way forward for many training schemes. They also cover a wide spectrum of industries and job roles. From entry level 2 right through to level 7 Masters. They set a very high standard of achievement, and they are genuinely focused on the skills, knowledge and behaviours which our people need for the future.
Apprenticeships are a success story for SGN and I’m excited to see where mine takes me.