By Sarah Rodricks on September 16, 2024
At Spirit, we value fresh perspectives and we’re always looking to improve value and efficiency in everything we do. Hiring apprentices is one way that we continue to bring in new ideas and a fresh perspective to the workplace.
Understanding Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships offer a valuable opportunity to learn while working, allowing you to gain practical experience and earn money simultaneously.
From the very beginning, you’ll receive on-the-job training and take on responsibilities. Additionally, 20% of your time will be dedicated to working towards an industry-recognised professional qualification.
Toby joined Spirit on an apprenticeship after completing a T-level in digital, design, production and development at College.
As Toby nears the end of his apprenticeship, we asked him to share more about his experience:
What was your role during the apprenticeship?
As an IT Assistant, it’s my role to support the team with any queries that are raised by Spirit employees.
A typical day for me is checking my emails when I get in, checking the service desk for any new tickets and replying to open tickets in my name.
I also support the team with larger projects and tasks.
What skills have you gained during your apprenticeship?
As well as more technical skills such as building laptops, upstanding Microsoft Exchange and Mobile Device Management, I have also improved my communication.
Were there any challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
One day when I was the only member of IT working, the internet stopped working at the office. This was preventing people from being able to work, so I ensured that everyone had a mobile hotspot they could connect to until we were able to resolve the issue.
I just tried to keep calm and contact my team if I needed extra help!
Who were your mentors, and how did they help you throughout the apprenticeship?
“My mentor was Stephen from JBC Skill training. He helped me by arranging meetings for us to go through my portfolio of evidence to see what needed to be done. Stephen was always there to help me if there was anything I needed clarity on.”
Can you share some of your key accomplishments from your apprenticeship?
“I think getting my certifications for the Jira service desk and the SharePoint beginner course on Udemy are two accomplishments I’m really proud of.”
Can you share a memorable project or task you worked on?
“One memorable project that I worked on was helping the team migrate people from Citrix to Azure Virtual Desktop”.
How has the apprenticeship influenced your career path and goals?
“The apprenticeship has opened my eyes to the world of IT support. Once I complete my apprenticeship, I am going into a job in IT support”.
What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship with Spirit?
“I‘d say go for it! It is a great place to work, with a really healthy work-life balance. Everyone is really friendly and approachable.
One thing I would recommend is for people to contact their mentor about anything they’re confused about. A simple Teams call can help clear up any confusion.”
We asked Shabbir Shanji, Head of IT to share his perspective of having Toby in the team:
“Toby’s time as an IT apprentice at Spirit has been marked by significant growth and achievement. He has excelled in learning new skills and managing various Microsoft products.
Having Toby as an apprentice has been incredibly beneficial. He brought fresh perspectives and a willingness to learn, sparking new ideas and creativity. His enthusiasm and dedication are evident in every task, and he effectively manages complex projects and troubleshoots issues.
His work on building and managing devices has streamlined our processes and improved efficiency. Toby has grown from a novice to a confident IT professional, adapting and learning quickly, positively impacting our team and business.
We are proud of his achievements and look forward to his continued growth in the tech industry. Well done, Toby!”
Interested in joining the Spirit Family?
We’re always on the look out for exceptional people to join us. Take a look at our current vacancies to find out more.
