Having no specific idea what I wanted to do when I finished college, my main aim was to start a career that would interest me. I realised that having barely any experience of the working world really decreased my chances, which meant I would need to highlight my other qualities in order to stand a chance. So when the opportunity to apply for a job at Enterprise Rent-A-Car was suggested to me by a family member who is already an Enterprise employee, I filled out the online application almost immediately. Not knowing much about the company at the time, I researched to find out as much as could to see if it would be something that I would enjoy.
When Beth Freemantle – the recruiter responsible for Enterprise’s contact centre in Aldershot – called me up and suggested joining as a Business Apprentice, I have to admit it’s not something I had even thought about beforehand. The suggestion was to shadow the team I would be working with, and then an interview. The apprenticeship would be an on-the-job qualification, where my job would form the basis of all my NVQ work. After really enjoying the variety that the job had to offer, I knew it would be somewhere I was interested in working.
Starting here was a very nerve wracking experience, as it was my first full time job. However, my reservations were quickly gone after the support I received from my team. During my training they were all very encouraging and they also supported me with my NVQ work, helping me with areas I didn’t understand. Part of my job is getting colleagues to complete witness testimonies and provide evidence, which is helping me build strong working relationships as well as showing others the kind of things I am working on. I am also taking on more responsibilities as time goes on, thanks to my training and the experience I am getting, which will help me progress within the company.
It has never been too difficult to balance both actual work and NVQ work, as you are given plenty of time to do both. The main assistance has come from my team, and in particular my supervisor, who has always been encouraging of my NVQ and given me the time and resources I need to complete the work needed for it. I really enjoy my job, and have found that the NVQ has helped me understand the reasons behind my job, in particular the business processes we use, and why we use them. This has helped me reflect on what I do, and improved the quality and quantity of the work I produce. I think it is a great way for a young person to get in to the working environment and really develop their knowledge of not only their job, but of how business functions as a whole.
My goal is to progress within my team, and I’m hoping to apply for a coordinator position when the role becomes available. I have considered the possibility of doing the next level NVQ in the future, once I have settled into whichever role I choose.
Do you already know what career you’ll be choosing after you finish college? An Administration Apprenticeship with Enterprise Rent-A-Car will give you the opportunity to earn while you learn. Apply now!
