A former apprentice from Stratford-upon-Avon College is thankful for her training experience which has taken her from apprentice to District Councillor and now her current role as Corporate and Events Co-Ordinator at the British Motor Museum.
Lauren Stanley gained her Level 2 and 3 Business Administration qualifications through her apprenticeship with the College between 2016 and 2018. During her time at college, she received multiple accolades including ‘Apprentice of the Month’ and even ‘Apprentice of the Year’.
Lauren remembers her time as an apprentice fondly and enjoyed coming to campus to talk about her experience: “I was asked on various occasions to come to career events at the College and speak to the Business Breakfast Forum event about how an apprenticeship has benefitted me and my career. The whole team of assessors were really friendly and approachable.”
After finishing at Stratford-upon-Avon College, Lauren studied for a Level 3 qualification in Digital Marketing and started her family. After her maternity leave, she was hired into a part time job within politics and during that time was elected as a Stratford District Councillor for Salford Priors and Alcester Rural Ward, a position she was extremely proud of: “I was truly honoured to represent the area of Warwickshire I loved and called home.”
Following her time in politics, she then moved into her current role at the British Motor Museum as Corporate and Events Co-Ordinator, a role she is relishing: “I love working at the museum, the team I work with day to day are truly wonderful. The job has such a great variety and knowing I work in one of the most unique venues with a charitable cause really makes working here so special.”
Lauren credits her apprenticeship for equipping her with the skills to prepare her for working in a range of roles: “My apprenticeships taught me so much about business and I gained transferable skills which I have been able to apply in many different settings. It really did open so many other doors for me, in ways 20-year-old Lauren didn’t realise.”
For anyone considering an apprenticeship, Lauren has this advice: “To anyone contemplating an apprenticeship, I really recommend doing it. I am such a practical person and being able to work whilst learning and earing money to do so was perfect for my situation at the time. There are such a wide variety of courses out there as well, and if you can find the right balance between the perfect provider and supportive business then it will be a win-win for not just you but your employer also. Showing you can apply yourself to something is a wonderful trait to have and I really believe that if you work hard, you will be rewarded and the effort will be seen one way or another.”
