{"id":1773,"date":"2020-02-03T11:10:18","date_gmt":"2020-02-03T11:10:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/landodlatestnews\/?p=1773"},"modified":"2020-02-03T11:10:18","modified_gmt":"2020-02-03T11:10:18","slug":"national-apprenticeship-week-meet-our-apprentices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/landodlatestnews\/2020\/02\/03\/national-apprenticeship-week-meet-our-apprentices\/","title":{"rendered":"National Apprenticeship Week: Meet our apprentices!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maria is the Innovation Officer (Contracts) with KIE, and we asked her to tell us a bit more about her experience with the apprenticeship:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tell us a little bit about yourself?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I am the contracts officer in Kent Innovation and Enterprise and have been doing this role for 2 years; however, I have worked in KIE for just over 6 years. I progressed from the clerical assistant to the contracts assistant to my current role.
\nI love the university environment and I enjoy the variety or tasks and people my role involves. It is satisfying to get a complicated or lengthy contract signed off and for the project to actually start.<\/p>\n

What made you want to start an apprenticeship?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I wanted to further myself and with a family and full time job, which I already enjoy, an apprenticeship was the best way to do this.<\/p>\n

Which apprenticeship are you doing, and who is supporting you at Kent?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I am doing the Paralegal Apprenticeship through CILEX and my manager Lucy Druesne has been able to support my application and be my mentor during the apprenticeship.<\/p>\n

How is the apprenticeship helping you?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I have just completed the introduction to law unit and start on the contract law unit in the next few weeks. Having an in-depth knowledge of law and contracts and being able to independently push forward on legal aspects should really improve the capacity and pace of my role.<\/p>\n

What is it like doing an apprenticeship?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

It is hard work but manageable. I get the equivalent of 1 day of studying per week, which includes attending an online webinar. I manage this around my work commitments so rarely take a whole day in one go, but it is flexible, which suits me.<\/p>\n

Would you recommend an apprenticeship to others?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I would highly recommend the apprenticeship route to anyone wanting to further themselves but feel that a more traditional route of studying is too daunting or time consuming on top of a family life or full time job. It is also great if you already enjoy your role and want to be able to take it to the next level.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Loretta Izod <\/b>is your Employee Apprenticeship Manager<\/p>\n

T: 01227 8 16568\u00a0E: l.j.izod@kent.ac.uk<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Loretta specialises in supporting employees who want to understand how their careers can benefit from undertaking an Apprenticeship.<\/p>\n

Use the contact details to get in touch with Loretta to arrange one to one advice, or set up a team meeting for further information and discussion.<\/p>\n