At White Label Creative, we’re joining in with the celebrations for National Apprenticeship Week for 2020! We’re proud to run an apprenticeship scheme and have been thrilled to see how successful it has been over the past few years.
We’ve always been strong believers in recruiting locally and nurturing our own talent. One of our remits when we started the company, ten years ago in 2010, was to employ local people and create local jobs. Apprenticeships are an ideal route to find talent locally that can be developed through the company.
Since starting our apprenticeship scheme in 2017, we’ve worked in partnership with local training providers JACE Training. JACE Training work successfully with both employers and apprentices to make the most of opportunities available and to nurture apprentices to learn skills, knowledge and professional behaviour on the job.
Natalie Ramikissoon, Employment and Training Officer at JACE Training, told us; “We work to ensure the apprentices grow, learn and develop practically and in knowledge through an individual personal development plan – ensuring they are work ready. I have been very proud to make a difference to the young people that have worked with White Label.”
We caught up with Annabel Hopper, our first apprentice in 2017, and Adam Gordon, who is currently working with us, to ask them a few questions about their first-hand experiences of working as an apprentice at White Label!
Annabel Hopper
When did you work as an apprentice at White Label?
I worked as an apprentice from March 2017 to March 2018.
What sorts of projects did you work on/ what type of experience did you gain?
I was very lucky to work on all the awards that took place within the year. I also worked on the Croydon investor tours, the IKEA Big Breakfast and lots of individual events.
What was your most memorable event and why?
My most memorable event was definitely the Croydon Business Excellence Awards. This was by far the most prestigious event of the year. It was a whirlwind; the set-up day went by so quickly and the event ran so smoothly. It was a night to remember!
What have you gone on to do in your career since working with White Label?
I have still been working in events, I moved to a company that ran travel events for travel agents all around the country. I am very lucky to have just accepted a job for a big travel company as a Meeting and Events Executive and I will be travelling the world with them.
Do you have any tips/advice for anyone interested in working as an apprentice at White Label?
Apprenticeships are the way forward. You gain qualifications while having real life work experience. White Label was great with me throughout my apprenticeship – always helping and teaching me more. They were really understanding with my workload and allowed me time during the working week to do my training work.
Adam Gordon
When did you start work as an apprentice at White Label?
I started in May 2019 and my placement is due to finish in September this year.
What sorts of projects are you working on?
Since joining White Label, I’ve been working on a wide range of events. I work in the events team on the White Label Awards programme which covers the Croydon, Kingston, Sutton, Southwark and Bexley Business Excellence Awards as well as events such as Capital West London, Develop Croydon, MIPIM and Business Live.
What types of skills have you gained so far?
Many! I’ve been developing my business admin skills such as IT, customer service and working with event management systems which supports my Business Admin Level 3 course with JACE Training.
I’ve gained experience working in a team, attending meetings, working on projects from start to finish, liaising with clients, customers and everyone involved in our awards and events.
I’m really enjoying it! It’s been great training.
What was your most memorable event and why?
The Southwark Business Excellence Awards 2019 Gala Dinner and Awards and Ceremony – this was my first major event with White Label and it really brought to life for me the scale of projects that we work on.
Do you have any tips or advice for anyone interested in working as an apprentice at White Label?
I’d definitely recommend working as an apprentice. It’s a great way to build up a broad range of skills. You have to be organised and prepared to work long hours on event days but it’s definitely worth it and the team are a great! Even if you don’t want to go into events an apprenticeship at White Label is really worthwhile as you build a broad range of skills and experience in different business areas.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the White Label apprenticeship programme then please get in touch at:info@wlcreative.org.uk
