A management trainee who feared her learning wasted when her training provider went into administration is back on the career ladder thanks to Access Apprenticeships.
Michelle Cook, 23 and from Seaton Delaval was six months into a team leading apprenticeship when the recession claimed her training provider. Her prospects looked bleak until Access stepped in, arranging for her to pick up her training and continue working with David Gray Solicitors.
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Now she is working to complete her Advanced Apprenticeship in Management and says: "Access has been really good. They allowed me to carry on with my training and have helped me understand the work I am doing. David Gray Solicitors has also been fantastic and I am really enjoying my work."
Alongside her Advanced Apprenticeship Michelle has taken an Access short course in Assertiveness that has left her more confident in her people skills.
Newcastle based David Gray Solicitors was set up in 1979 and has grown to become one of the largest law firms in the North East. The majority of its administration and management training is now done through Access. Several members of their staff have now completed their training with Access, with more to continue in the next year.
As part of her training Michelle is visited every three weeks by her Skills Adviser who provides one to one coaching and training. Michelle provides evidence of her work, to demonstrate how she has completed tasks and overcome challenges.
Michelle's Skills Adviser at Access, Sue Tomlinson said: "Michelle has done really well, especially considering the issues she had when her previous training provider went into administration. She works very hard and David Gray Solicitors are very pleased, for them, the positive business benefits are very clear. Her Advanced Apprenticeship and Assertiveness course have provided her with the skills necessary to embark on a successful career."
The law firm also takes part in Access' Young Apprentice Programme. They regularly host a placement for pupils currently working towards a Level 1NVQ in Business and Administration, providing work experience and guidance.
Christine Carpenter Practice Support Manger at David Gray Solicitors said: "Michelle is a valued, intelligent and hard working member of the administration team. She is keen to acquire new skills that will help within her job role, now and in the future and develop her existing ones. The apprenticeship programme is helping Michelle achieve these goals."
