Graduate Apprentice – Corporate Services, Council Advice Service
GA – Business Management
Professional Qualification undertaken as a Graduate Apprentice:
BSc (Hons) Business Management with Industrial Experience.
Hi, my name is Chris and I'm a 2nd year Graduate Apprentice in Business Management.
I am a 17-year veteran of Dundee City Council, starting as Benefit Assessor within revenues processing Housing Benefit and Council Tax applications. After 10 years I was going through the motions and needed a change, I joined the Connect Team, part of Council Advice Services. This is outreach work in communities helping members of the public maximise their income through welfare benefit checks and helping them apply for said benefits. For the past 18 months, I have been seconded into a role of Financial Inclusion Support Officer at Morgan Academy, this role was designed to give a direct link for families to receive assistance with maximising their income within the school setting. In turn, by providing families with financial assistance, the school could see an upturn in the attainment of the young people within the school. I achieved financial gains of £556k for Morgan families in term 2023/24.
I left school at 16, with a handful of standard grades, at that time in the 1990’s, within my school setting, further education wasn’t a priority. You left school and went out to work, which is what I did. I have had numerous jobs over the years but can honestly say my time in Advice Services has been the best of my working life. This made me think about how I could increase my knowledge and experience.
As I didn’t stay on at school or go to University, I had no qualifications to allow me to progress or apply for promoted posts. My manager told me about the GA course in Business Management. She had completed the course herself and was a keen advocate of its benefits. I was apprehensive of going “back to school” at 45, and this apprehension increased as I tried to navigate academic writing and referencing. After 3 months I was honestly ready to walk away, as I felt I was in over my head. However, the lecturers, my management team, the Vocational Training Co-ordinator of DCC and my workplace mentor have all provided me with great support. I also have a strong bond with my peers in class and we have helped each other throughout our journeys. I now look forward to my lectures every week and take great satisfaction from the grades and feedback I receive for my efforts.
I have recently received a promotion on the back of my work in the school, however, I do not think this would have been achievable without the knowledge and confidence I have built up while being a Graduate Apprentice.
If you’re 21 or 51, and you get the chance to become an apprentice, please take the leap and benefit your future for the better. It’s daunting, however, there are people like me, willing to help you along your journey.
I love what I do and want to use the GA course to further my knowledge so I can one day, lead a team who are providing help to people within communities.
Craig Mason, Senior Manager (Council Advice Services) and keen advocate and Mentor on the GA programme said “Chris has benefitted greatly from the Graduate Apprentice programme. We have seen him grow as a member of staff with increased confidence in his ability to look at problems with a critical eye and offer up solutions to the service on how we might proceed and develop services. He has recently been successful in being promoted to the position of Welfare Rights Officer (Macmillan) and I am sure the increased confidence and skills gained through the programme were a factor in his success at interview.”
Modern Apprentice – City Development (Architectural Services)
MA – Construction (Architectural)
Professional Qualification undertaken as a Modern Apprentice:
HNC Built Environment (scqf level 7) and SVQ3 Construction Contracting Operations: Site Technical Support (scqf level 6)
When I left school, I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, and I didn’t get much careers advice. I had a job in a social club, collecting glasses part-time, for a year and this gave me a good work ethic. I knew that at school, I loved and had a passion for all the art-based subjects and was particularly keen on photography and art design. I was offered a place at University to do Business Management but I knew in my heart it wasn’t really what I wanted.
When I saw the advertisement for the Modern Apprentice, Architectural Technician with Dundee City Council, I was intrigued. It seemed to offer all the things I was interested in and wanted to do. I wasn’t entirely sure what an Architectural Technician would do so I did a bit of research, and I was even more interested. I felt it was a bit like fashion design but with buildings instead of clothes!
I applied and got an interview. I’d never had an interview for a job before, so it was a bit nerve wracking, and I waited nervously for a call. Thankfully I was successful and was excited to get started.
I was “buddied” with another young employee Beth, who had previously been a Modern Apprentice and had gone on to University. My Mentor, Steve has also been a great help and support.
In my day-to-day work I am involved in site surveys, creating CAD drawings such as plans, sections and elevations and preparing specifications for construction work. All these factors are important in ensuring accurate and precise product delivery on site.
I started attending Dundee & Angus College on day release to study my HNC and Iain my Assessor, visits me on site to support me complete my SVQ3. These qualifications are complementary as one is the academic theories and knowledge, and the other is the application of this in a work situation. I am in my final year now and currently working on my graded unit.
This year I have been designated Contract Administrator for all the disabled bathroom renovations and refurbishments. I oversee individual projects to suit the needs of individuals and allow them to continue to live in their own homes. This is rewarding as I feel I am helping people in Dundee and liaising and collaborating with others like Occupational Therapists, Housing staff and contractors. I am very appreciative of Dundee City Council allowing me to start my journey in construction and all the support I receive.
My current plan is to complete my SVQ early so that I can progress on to Higher Education and do a degree in Architecture or a Graduate Apprenticeship in Construction & the Built Environment. These would allow me to become a fully qualified Architect and membership of RIBA and RIAS the professional bodies.
I would highly recommend the Modern Apprenticeship route into employment; I have benefitted greatly from learning both on and off–the-job, applying skills learned in practice and getting paid for something I love.
I am really looking forward to my journey ahead!
Rio was recently part of a small team from Dundee & Angus College who won the Chartered Institute of Building trophy!
Steve Quinn, Senior Architect and Rio’s workplace Mentor said:
“I thoroughly enjoy and gain satisfaction from Mentoring young people. I have over 30 years' experience as an Architect in both private and public sector and have had my own business operating in London. I feel that I can pass my knowledge and experience on to Rio and support her in her journey from school leaver to professional worker. I feel that self-belief is key to success, and this is something I can give to Rio and other young people through mentoring – I can nurture this self-belief on a day-to-day basis; motivate and provide emotional support. In Dundee City Council it’s not just about professional development it’s about personal development too, a true holistic approach! In a short time, Rio has developed to the point where she is Contract Administrator for all disabled adaptations and in this, improves the lives of individual citizens of Dundee by enabling them to stay in their own homes. To achieve this Rio works in partnership with Social Care, NHS, Social Work, Housing, Construction and contractors – a true collaboration for the people. Rio has now recognised that she wants to take on a greater challenge and is aiming for Higher education through the vocational route. The team and I will provide total encouragement to her in this endeavour.”
Andrea Wilson, RIBA RIAS ARB and Architectural Service Manager said:
“Rio is developing into a confident, self-assured and, probably most importantly, competent young professional as she moves forward on her path in the construction industry. This is in no small part down to the unspoken understanding of her work colleagues that the time invested in your teammate’s learning is beneficial to all of us.
As a woman in construction myself for some 30 years so be it) it is really heartening to see the combination of the environment we have created, the opportunity of the MA programme and Rio’s own ability propel her to achieve what she has by the age of 19. We look forward to putting whatever opportunities we can in her path as she grows further”.
