National Career Development Month: Becoming an apprentice

As I continue my apprenticeship at Essex County Council (ECC), I've been working on new goals to improve my skills within the team. One of these involves gaining more interviewing experience.

I recently had a successful interview with Steve Evison, where we discussed reverse mentoring. This was an interesting experience which I enjoyed and wanted to explore further.

To celebrate National Career Development month this November, I reached out to another apprentice at ECC. Rebecca Thorpe is an Economic Growth Apprentice who joined the council in October 2023. As part of her apprenticeship, she is completing a Level 3 Business Administration qualification with ACL.

Rebecca shared her thoughts on how her apprenticeship is going. Her journey shows the transformative impact of apprenticeships and how they can shape both personal and professional growth.

Rebecca Thorpe

What led you to apply to become an apprentice at ECC?

After graduating in 2022 with a history degree, I spent months applying for jobs and attending interviews with little success due to a lack of experience.

I volunteered at a local business and became interested in business administration – a complete change from my previous studies. I completed level 2 qualifications in information, advice, guidance and business administration alongside this to learn more about the subject.

This led me to apply for the Economic Growth Apprenticeship after seeing it on the Working For Essex website, as I felt like it took in all my interests and allowed me to grow professionally while gaining a new qualification.

What’s important to you, and what motivates you?

I'm driven by the opportunity to widen my skills and make a positive impact on economic growth, especially in the context of sustainable practices for businesses.

The team that I work with is amazing and super supportive, so being able to contribute my best efforts to assisting them is also important to me.

What skills have you gained so far?

Through team projects and virtual interactions, I've learned the importance of effective communication, sharing ideas, and supporting my colleagues.

This experience has improved my ability to contribute positively to group efforts. Working collaboratively has given me valuable insights into different perspectives and made me a more adaptable and effective team member.

I've been actively seeking opportunities to contribute by identifying areas where I can continually improve my knowledge, such as learning new software to better support my team. This skill will no doubt be beneficial as I continue to grow in my role.

Are there any challenges you’ve faced, and how have you overcome them?

In an office, it's easier to shadow colleagues and ask questions. But, with remote work, I had to adapt. Despite being challenging for me at first as a shy individual, I actively communicate, schedule virtual meetings for guidance, and use digital tools to stay connected. Additionally, I travel to the office at least once a week to meet some of my colleagues.

With support from my team and personal reflection, I've become more resourceful and learned to appreciate the unique opportunities for self-motivation in a virtual setting.

What is your proudest achievement so far?

Stepping out of my comfort zone and applying the skills I gained from my history degree while developing new ones. Shifting from history to economic growth had its challenges, but what I value most are the times I used my research and analysis skills to help my team.

Whether it's working on projects, creating presentations, or joining team discussions, these experiences have widened my skills and emphasised the importance of diverse talents in the workplace. I've gained a wealth of knowledge throughout this journey so far, and I am looking forward to seeing the impact of my team's work and what is achieved in the future.

In what ways is your apprenticeship setting you up for future success?

My role as an apprentice at ECC has provided me with an incredible insight into working for local government.

The experience I'm gaining will be important when I pursue future roles as I work on a diverse range of projects and am gaining new skills. Additionally, the qualification I'm working towards will provide a solid foundation for my professional development.

I consider myself fortunate to have this opportunity, and it has fuelled my excitement for my future career.

Are you interested in becoming an apprentice? Visit the Essex Opportunities website to find the latest apprenticeships available, or go to Working for Essex website to find employment opportunities at ECC.

Follow Rebecca on LinkedIn here.