This week (7-13 February) marks the 15th annual National Apprenticeship Week. As one of the largest apprenticeship providers in Knowsley, this week we’ll be shining a spotlight on some of our young talent. Today, we’re starting with Ciaran Ellis who was originally one of our pre-apprentices and has now gone on to secure a permanent role.
Take us back to the start of your journey at Livv. When did you join us and how did the opportunity come about?
After I finished school in 2019, I went to college but I very quickly knew that continuing with full-time education wasn’t for me. I dropped out after eight weeks. Luckily at that time because I live in Knowsley, I got a flyer through the post promoting Livv’s pre-apprenticeship scheme. I knew this would be an opportunity that could open doors.
After successfully applying, I then spent six months on the pre-apprenticeship programme, where I studied for a Level 2 qualification in Business which would help me to prepare for life as a fully-fledged apprentice.
Why did you choose a full-time apprenticeship in Assets?
After my pre-apprenticeship, I was accepted onto the full apprenticeship scheme where I joined the Assets team in September 2020. Unlike everybody else who moved around from team to team, I stayed here the whole time. I chose this area because the job sounded varied; I wouldn’t just be sat in the office all day. I got to go out and visit customers face to face, which is the aspect of the job I enjoyed most.
What are you most proud of during your time as an apprentice?
Going from being in education to stepping out of my comfort zone and immersing myself into a real workplace environment with all these adults of different ages and backgrounds. That was a big change for me and having the courage to make that leap – and being able to adapt – is something that I am still proud of.
Why do you enjoy working at Livv?
At Livv, everybody wants each other to do well and that is proven in the support I was given. I wasn’t treated like I was ‘just an apprentice’, I was treated like everybody else which is what you need when you’re making that transition between school and work.
This year’s National Apprenticeship Week theme is ‘Build the Future’ and you have recently secured a permanent role with us after completing your apprenticeship. Can you tell us more?
A year into my apprenticeship, I knew that my ultimate goal was to secure a full-time role at Livv as I was really enjoying my time here. As I was edging towards the end of my programme, I kept a lookout for any permanent roles becoming available and then, with a lot of hard work, preparation and support, I managed to secure a job.
There’s no doubt that my apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to build my skills and knowledge and allowed me to get my foot in the door in terms of a permanent contract. I’m now in the role of Processing Advisor, which I started in January this year; I mainly manage arrears on rent accounts. It’s a new role in a new team and I’m looking forward to really getting stuck in and seeing where it takes me in the future.
Ciaran with Mandy Manning, Business Partner – Learning & Development.
Ciaran Ellis has gone on to secure a permanent role at Livv.