Success Stories: Neil Douglas, Level 3 School Sports

“I’ve always loved sports. This apprenticeship allows me to share my passion to inspire children and encourage them to be active and lead healthy lives.”

We had a chat with Neil Douglas who has just completed his Level 3 School Sports Assistant apprenticeship at Prince Rock Primary School and has exciting plans for the future.

“I chose to do an apprenticeship as I wanted the hands-on experience and practice. At the school, I led PE lessons across all years from Foundation to Year 6 and SEN pupils. I taught a number of sports including dodgeball, football and rugby to help increase the children’s fitness and improve their inter-personal skills such as working as a team.

“Some aspects of the job were challenging, such as managing children’s behaviour. However this also made the job more rewarding – for example, when I had successes or breakthroughs with the children.

“I want to stay in sports education in the future. I’m now working as a paddleboard instructor for the summer and am starting a Physical Education degree at Marjon University in September.

“I would definitely recommend the apprenticeship route, as it offers the chance to gain so much practical, on-the-job experience. It also makes you appreciate how different all the children are – one approach definitely doesn’t work for all, so you need to be adaptable. My advice to anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship would be to follow your gut feeling and go for it!”

Well done and good luck Neil!

I just wanted to say the biggest thank you to Vanessa, my trainer. You have made my journey so much easier, I don’t know what I would have done without you. You have been amazing and helped me to achieve my qualification. You’ve guided me through every step of the way, I really appreciate it, Vanessa, you have been my rock.

Katie Shorland, Level 2 Hairdressing

I always struggled in school as I wasn’t very academic, so knew learning on the job would be a better option for me. I would find it difficult to get up for 9am but now I wake up and look forward to my day. I wanted to try a hair apprenticeship as I’ve always been interested in hairdressing, and by the end of the first week, I already loved it!

Jaimee Benson, Level 2 Hairdressing

I have developed a range of new skills through work including the technical, industry skills required for the job, to personal development such as ensuring I am always on time. The biggest change since leaving school is adjusting to the independence you gain from earning a salary. My advice to anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship would be find what you like doing, and go for it!

Will Birch, Level 2 Bricklaying

Since starting the apprenticeship, I’ve become far more confident. In a classroom, you only interact with your classmates, but through working you develop your people skills as you interact with customers on a daily basis. At school, you are closely monitored and parented, however I am now more independent and feel grown up

Sam Collard, Level 2 Light Vehicle and Maintenance Repair

The most important thing I’ve learnt since leaving school is that there are other routes to success than just academia. I failed my GCSEs, as I never suited the school environment. Now though, I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship as I’ve discovered I learn more through hands-on practice.

Ben Freeman, Level 2 Carpentry

I would just like to thank you and your team for all the amazing work they do, you have provided me with the most invaluable experience which has helped to pave the way of my future. The work you do for young people is incredible!

Luke Kowalski, Teaching Assistant and former apprentice at Sir Robert Gefferys School