Here's what some of our current and former apprentices and their employers think of their apprenticeship experience.
Structec Ltd
Aimee says: "I started my apprenticeship through the Knowsley Apprentice scheme with Structec (N.W) Ltd and have gone onto achieve a Level 2, 3 & 4 qualification in Business and Administration. I now have a leading office role within the company, training those aiming to achieve similar qualifications."
Georgia says: "I have completed a Level 2 Business Admin apprenticeship through the Knowsley Apprentice scheme working for Structec (N.W.) Ltd and have received excellent training and support from the company as my mentor has been through the same experience as me. I am now hoping to continue my learning and undertake a Level 3 qualification."
Citrus Group
"August saw us interview and select our two new apprentice recruits. We welcome Owen Hankin, our first ever Fire Alarm and Security Apprentice and Jacob Bentley, an Electricial Engineer Apprentice.
The success of all our apprentice is down to the whole team at Citrus. If you are given an apprentice to work alongside you, make it count! Give them as much varied experience as you can. They have the opportunity to be trained by Citrus colleagues to become some of our best employees, so help them out."
Claudia Connor - Livv Housing Group
Claudia has been working as a Customer Insight Apprentice at Livv Housing. She says: “Before my apprenticeship, I was never sure what I wanted to do or be but since being at Livv and being able to explore the different areas of my department, I now have a much better idea.
“I joined in September 2021 and I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far. I’m picking up new knowledge every day from those around me and everyone in the business is so welcoming and easy to approach. I’m treated like a normal member of staff rather than ‘just an apprentice’ – I love getting stuck in and engaging with customers as part of my role.
“I’m so glad that I chose this route as the first-hand experience that I’m getting, as well as the theoretical knowledge from my assignments, will really help me with the next stage of my career. Thank you Knowsley Apprentice for all your support.”
Niall Walsh - Livv Housing Group
Niall is an Assistant Property Manager at Livv Housing. He says: “I always knew that further education wasn’t for me and that I wanted to do something more hands on.
"I joined Livv in September 2018 at the age of 19 as an Apprentice Site Manager which enabled me to go to work every day and train on the job, learning new skills and knowledge from my colleagues around me.
"After the 18 months, I was then offered the role of Assistant Property Manager and I couldn’t be more grateful for everything that my apprenticeship taught me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.
“The Knowsley Apprentice supported me to find the right apprenticeship. The shop in Huyton village is a great hub for young people to visit, they’ll help you search and apply for vacancies and offer advice on CV writing and interview preparation as they did with me.”
Steven McDonnell - Livv Housing Group
Steven is a Finance Advisor – Property for Livv Housing. He says: “My apprenticeship not only helped me to develop job skills but it also helped me with important life skills such as communication, time management and teamwork. My overall confidence has grown too. This is why I think an apprenticeship is key for young people, as I’ve been able to transfer those skills through to my current role and in everyday life.
“I’m also really grateful to Livv and Knowsley Apprentice for their support with my AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians), this will help me on my way to becoming a Chartered Accountant.”
Paul Oliver - Livv Housing
Paul is an Electrical Apprentice. He says: "I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship at Livv, particularly learning the fundamentals to becoming an Electrician and how two days are never the same. Alongside the monthly support I've had from Knowsley Apprentice, I've found everyone at Livv to be very welcoming and they’ve made me feel part of the team."
Livv Housing Group
Mandy Manning, Learning & Development Manager at Livv Housing Group said: "We’ve been working with The Knowsley Apprentice for nearly 15 years and now, as one of the largest apprenticeship providers in the borough, our scheme continues to prove invaluable.
“Our apprenticeships give young people in the local area the opportunity to gain a qualification whilst learning on the job, developing the skills, knowledge and confidence that they need to enable them to grow.
“We’re really proud of the success rate of our apprenticeships and how they’ve provided a platform for over 170 young people to launch their careers. Some of our employees started out as an apprentice with us and many have worked their way up into leadership roles, which proves just how beneficial an apprenticeship can be – both for the employee and for ourselves as the employer.
“As Knowsley is one of the only areas in the country without A level provision, it’s important that local organisations are offering young people other routes into study or work that don’t require them to travel out of the borough. By working together with The Knowsley Apprentice, we are able to provide opportunities to help young people flourish.”
Steven A Hunt and Associates
"We were fortunate to access the Knowsley Apprenticeship scheme last year, when recruiting for a Junior Design Engineer, which culminated in the successful recruitment of Thomas who is now in his first year at LJMU undertaking a Building Services Design Engineer Degree Apprenticeship. With the support from Mandy, KMBC Young Persons Mentor, she promoted our vacancy within the Knowsley area and to young people she was currently working with, this was in addition to an advert on the National Apprenticeship website. It was beneficial knowing that the candidates put forward by Mandy had the required attributes and qualifications to go forward for consideration, but more importantly they had been given advice and guidance on key employability skills employers are looking for.
"In addition to the national government funding, the Knowsley financial incentive package was extremely useful, especially as a relatively small employer. This supported us as a company to assist with the training and mentoring requirements once Thomas had commenced employment.
Although Thomas has workplace mentors, it is welcome that Mandy has continued to review his progress, especially from an external organisation as this may make him feel more comfortable in expressing any issues to a non-work colleague."
St Albert's Catholic Primary School
Lisa Jewell, the School's Business Manager, said: "We decided to employ an apprentice in our school office as we wanted to give a young person the opportunity to get a full time job where they can learn and earn, and also to inject some new ideas into our ways of working.
"The Knowsley Apprentice Team were very helpful through the whole process of advertising and interviewing candidates, and continue to support us and our apprentice. I would highly recommend employing a young person through the apprenticeship scheme."