I began working for Mark Jenkinson, MP for Workington, in October 2020 as an administrator. Mark was first elected to Parliament during the 2019 General Election. Prior to this, I attended Cockermouth School Sixth Form and was a Human Resources Intern for international board producer Holmen Iggesund.

CHOOSING A DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP

Cumbria has always been well above the national average for apprenticeship uptake, so I was always inspired to be an apprentice. I knew after completing sixth form I wasn’t ready to leave home to attend university, so a degree apprenticeship was a perfect compromise between working and studying, while being able to stay at home in Cumbria.

I heard about this specific qualification from a colleague in a neighbouring MP’s office who was in his third year of study. He found the course to be a perfect balance between full time working and study, while being able to build upon skills that would assist in his role working for an MP. My office manager then introduced me to the possibility of doing the qualification myself, and after hearing the positive comments from my colleague I was encouraged to sign up.  

SKILLS FAIR SUCCESS

Unleashing local potential has always been important to me, and I’m a passionate advocate about what Cumbria has to offer. For my apprenticeship project, I was tasked with the responsibility of organising a skills fair that would showcase the opportunities available to the young people and job-seekers of the Workington constituency. The event was held during National Apprenticeship Week 2023, and I managed to recruit over 60+ exhibitors, including Sizewell C, Rolls-Royce SMR and Sellafield, with 100s of people in attendance.

The project covered a wide range of skills required for this qualification, with my confidence in project management and marketing growing as a result. I was able to get the event covered in local press and media, and received extremely positive feedback from both attendees and exhibitors, many of whom have already signed up to attend next year. The event’s success has confirmed the need for this to be an annual event, with planning for 2024 already underway!

[2024 update] Workington Skills Fair 2024 was even more successful than it’s launch the year before, welcoming more attendees and a wider range of exhibitors from different sectors. The event’s date during National Apprenticeship was timely as I managed to secure the attendance of the Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan who is the first MP to start their career as a degree apprentice. 

AN APPRENTICESHIP AMBASSADOR

Since starting the apprenticeship, I’ve been fortunate to be chosen as an Apprenticeship Ambassador through Amazing Apprenticeships and the Department for Education. This role has led me into public speaking and presenting the many benefits apprenticeships have to offer. I regularly get invited into local schools to offer tips on how to make an application stand out, and how to handle difficult questions during an interview. This is a role I’ve very much enjoyed, and look forward to my continued work with the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network in promoting apprenticeships locally. 

Through this role, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some amazing and extraordinary people. I recently met with the Minister of State for Apprenticeships, Robert Halfon MP, who was excited to hear about my experience as an apprentice. I also met his predecessor, Alex Burghart MP, during an event for MPs and their apprentices at the Department for Education to discuss barriers impacting MPs from recruiting apprentices.     

GROWTH IN CONFIDENCE

The political sector is very much a world that keeps you on your toes, so quick thinking and adaptability are much needed skills to be able to succeed, not just as an individual, but as a team. I’ve learnt that while planning is important, there may not always be the time, so acting on your gut and previous experience is a necessary tool.

I am growing increasingly more confident in making decisions and presenting ideas that will positively impact my organisation. I am surrounded by a great team, and a great mentor in my line manager, Hannah. My work on the ‘Workington Skills Fair’ has been fundamental in growing my confidence as a future manager, allowing me freedoms to make choices on instinct, but also be supported by a team who each have their own area of expertise and wisdom to offer.

EXCITING PROSPECTS AHEAD

I’ve always had a passion for politics, but I never imagined myself working in the political sector. I’m confident that my skills will continue to develop throughout this qualification, with new strengths unlocked on a regular basis. My mind has opened to ventures that I don’t believe I would have previously considered. I’m very much in the mindset that you end up where you’re meant to be, so I’m excited about the prospects available after I’ve completed this course.