We’re continuing the National Apprenticeship Week celebrations and today we’re catching up with Taylor Jade Owen. 23-year-old Taylor Jade joined us on our Kickstart Scheme last year and since then she’s gone on to secure herself an apprenticeship within our Customer Insight Team. Here she tells us how she’s settling into life at Livv.
Tell us about your time as a Kickstart
I joined Livv as part of the government’s Kickstart Scheme in March 2022. The placement was for six months and in that time I got a good introduction to the business and the Contact Centre. My role mainly involved making outbound calls to customers, ensuring that their details were up to date on our system.
Why did you then decide to apply for an apprenticeship with us?
I was starting to find my feet here as a Kickstart and I liked the idea of the Customer Insight apprenticeship giving you the opportunity to move around different areas of the directorate. The people here are so friendly and supportive as well, I knew I wanted to stay.
The Lakeview office was also undergoing a refurbishment at the time of my placement and after hearing all the plans, I really wanted to see the outcome! It didn’t disappoint. It’s an amazing office and I love coming in. I work from Lakeview most days.
What have you been up to as a Customer Insight apprentice?
All Customer Insight apprentices start off in the Contact Centre. I was mainly on the cost of living line taking calls from customers and referring them to the Advisory Services Team. As I was already familiar with the team and our systems [from my placement], I felt like I was picking up where I’d left off which was great.
In the new year, I then moved into the Processing Team. I enjoyed my time here and it was interesting to see what this side of the team do.
And where are you now?
This week I’ve joined the Advisory Services Team and I’m really excited to see what the experience brings. This was the area of the apprenticeship that appealed to me most as mental health is something that’s close to home for me. I’m looking forward to learning more about what the team do and to see what I can bring to the role.
What’s the most valuable skill or lesson you’ve learnt during your time as an apprentice?
To not be afraid to mingle! As a young person going into work, it can be easy to hide yourself away and sit on your own but I think mingling with other colleagues, not just in your own team but also across the business, is important. You’re able to get to know more people [and they can get to know you] and you can learn more that way too. I feel like I’ve grown as a person and developed in confidence just by making sure I don’t shy away from anyone or anything.
What advice would you give to a young person thinking about the future?
Look into all your options (especially apprenticeships!) and find out what opportunities are out there.
After leaving school I spent four or five years at college studying different courses mainly because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I then worked at Whiston Hospital A&E for a couple of years, again not knowing what career path I wanted to follow.
I was lucky to come across the Kickstart opportunity when I did. And looking back, I wish I knew about apprenticeships much earlier as I would’ve jumped at the chance and perhaps not wasted my time at college like I did. But I guess that’s the best thing about apprenticeships – it’s never too late to start!