Admin Assistant Lois Murray-Wood has completed her NVQ Level 2 at Clynder Cables as an apprentice through The Growth Company, a Manchester-based non-for-profit skills and training company.

Jacqui Ogden, Skills Development Tutor at The Growth Company, has been a key contact throughout, providing ongoing support for Lois. This has come at a particularly challenging time for the education sector and work-based training because of the Covid pandemic.

Jacqui elaborated; “Lois has been an excellent student completing the work I set for her to an excellent standard.  Due to the Covid 19 pandemic in the final six months of the apprenticeship Lois was having to balance her everyday work which increased due to staff reductions alongside her apprenticeship work.  She coped well with this as well as dealing with having to do our appointments over the telephone rather than face to face.  At no stage did it affect her completing her work on the apprenticeship within the timescales set and to the high standard previously submitted.  Congratulations Lois on your achievements, it was a pleasure to have you as an apprentice.”

Lois is now the third apprentice to complete her NVQ Level 2 at Clynder Cables. Barbara Walton, General Manager, has worked directly with all three apprentices at Clynder, passing her considerable knowledge and experience on to the next generation. She feels that apprenticeships and mentoring can really make a difference to a young person’s future, and that she herself benefitted from this type of mentoring when she was first starting out in employment.

Barbara explains; “When I commenced my working life as an Office Junior, I was lucky enough to meet Jean the MD’s Secretary.  Jean was my mentor and instilled in me good working practices and values. These lessons have stayed with me and, I feel, have helped me to progress forward with my career.  When I joined Clynder I was fortunate to have been given the opportunity to pay this forward with our three apprenticeships. It has been a privilege to watch them grow into confident young people who will have an impact in the business world. I look forward to continuing to work with Lois and aiding her in her future.”

All three of Clynder Cables’ apprenticeships have been via The Growth Company and the apprentices have all gone on to further their careers. Lois has now taken on a full-time role with the company. Charlotte Murphy is continuing a successful career within the legal department at Manchester City Council.  Aimee Biles is pursuing a career within the banking system. 

Lois feels that the apprenticeship program has been of great benefit to her.

“From completing my apprenticeship and working at Clynder Cables, I have gained knowledge, experience, and confidence. I was supported throughout by Barbara, Oliver, and Jacqui who ensured I received suitable training to reach my full potential. Because of this, I have been able to progress quickly and complete my level 2 in Business Administration.  This has provided me with the skills I needed to advance on to a full-time job at Clynder. Not only has this been beneficial for my career, but It has also impacted my personal development positively.”

Oliver Hingston, Managing Director at Clynder Cables, states. “Through Government assistance, the apprenticeship schemes have come on leaps and bounds and are making a huge difference to young people’s futures, providing an alternative professional pathway to universities. A company gains a valued employee, while the young person learns professional skills with the added benefit of immediate earnings and a first foot on the career ladder. I would have no hesitation in recommending an apprenticeship via the Growth Company to other organisations.”