Markerstudy Group apprentices provide aspirational role models for local students

At the end of last year, a group of apprentices from across Markerstudy Group took part in an Insight Day, led by Future First. 21 students from a local Peterborough school were invited into the Peterborough office to get an insight into different aspects of the business, enabling them to discover different careers and pathways available to them.

The students took part in activities such as mock interviews and a careers carousel, which enabled them to meet different employees, including apprentices, and ask them questions about their job, their education experience and their overall pathway.

From talking about their personal experiences, to delivering a presentation on the different types of apprenticeships available at the organisation, the apprentices also shared personal advice and tips with the visiting students

We caught up with some of the apprentices who took part in the Insight Day to find out more about them and why they felt it was important to promote apprenticeships to people from their local area.

Aaliyah, Level 3 Insurance Practitioner apprentice

“I decided to take on an apprenticeship as I wanted to go straight into the working world and gain skills whilst still earning a competitive salary. I decided to get involved in the insight day to hopefully share my experience with students who were in the same boat as me when I was their age to help spread the word on different avenues of education.

My advice would be to explore and research the career you’re interested in and see the different ways of getting there. Many careers are now accessible by apprenticeships which are a huge help for those not wanting to go to uni or for those who would prefer to earn as they learn. It’s all about what works the best for you!”

Carlos, Level 2 Financial Services Customer Advisor apprentice

“I helped out on the Insight Day by giving the students a tour of the business and explaining about the Contact Centre, the jobs roles of the people working there and the basics of what we do. I got involved because I thought it would be fun to help students with no experience, and to promote the business and opportunities available.

My advice to the students was if you don't think that working in a contact Centre is meant for you, as an apprenticeship or as a full-time job you are able to make connections to people within the business. This may also give you access to internal vacancies making it easier for you to explore different jobs in the business.

I felt I was able to inspire students about apprenticeships by sharing my experiences.”

Sobia, Level 3 Insurance Practitioner apprentice

“During the insight day we met some year 10 students and explained what an apprenticeship is and what the advantages are of doing one. I also discussed why I chose the apprenticeship and how it has helped me. I explained that I took on this apprenticeship because I was unsure of what I wanted to do. Completing this apprenticeship means I get to experience different roles in the company and find out what type of role I am interested in and would be suitable for me.

I got involved in the Future First Insight Day because I wanted the students to know there are other options other than going to university. Some people like me may not be clear on what they want to do, and an apprenticeship is one of the options that might help them to find out what they really want to do in the future.

I felt the students were inspired as they were asking lots of questions, wanting to know more about apprenticeships. Not everyone knew a lot about apprenticeships and as we talked more about it the students were able to learn more and understand what they are and how they can get into this.”

Markerstudy Group search for candidates to join their apprenticeship schemes at various times throughout the year. Take a look at their available vacancies across the UK here.

To find out more about the insight day and our partnership with Markerstudy Group, please see here.