National Apprenticeship Week: Supporting people into financial services

This National Apprenticeship Week we’re sharing how the Society helps people into work.

The Society has been a host company for the University of South Wales’ Network 75 programme since 2012. The programme offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working in their desired sector whilst completing thier degree.

The  Network 75 programme is a five year course which allows students to attend university twice a week, alongside working part time for three days a week. At the end of the course, students come away with a degree as well as five years of experience.

We spoke  to two of our Network 75 students to find out thier experience of the scheme.

Chloe Pepper, 19, from Penarth, works in the Brand and Product department at the Society. Lily-May Cooper, 19 from New Tredegar, works in the IT department.

Why did you apply for Network75?

Chloe: I applied for Network75 because I wanted to do a degree but also gain some work experience alongside my studies. Network75 is a great way to balance studying for a degree as well as getting five years work experience in the profession that you are studying.

Lily: I applied to Network 75 because I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to not only get a degree but to also have work experience and be able to transfer the skills I’ve learned in work to what I’m doing in university.

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship over full time education?

Chloe: I wanted to gain some practical work experience and combine that with academic learning which is specific to marketing, with the aim of developing my knowledge and skills.

 Lily: I choose an apprenticeship over full time education because I wanted to have industry experience so that when I finish my apprenticeship, I know what is expected of me in a company. 

What do you find are the benefits of doing a degree apprenticeship?

Chloe: It has allowed me to gain work experience and have a better understanding of how a business works.  As well as this it has given me academic background in my subject and allowed me to put theory in to practice.

Lily: I have found a lot of benefits of doing a degree apprenticeship such as being able to work in a team and being able to transfer the skills I’ve learnt in university to work.  

What have you gained from the degree apprenticeship?

Chloe: I have become better at managing my time more efficiently as well as being able to gain different skills and knowledge. I have also benefited from being able to learn from the professional people that I work with.  

Lily: I have gained a lot of knowledge and learned about things that have really interested me.

Would you recommend doing a degree apprenticeship?

Chloe: Yes, I would recommend doing a degree apprenticeship, it is an amazing way of getting a qualification whilst gaining work experience at the same time. It also is a cost effective way of learning.

Lily:  I would one hundred percent recommend doing a degree apprenticeship as I think it is one of the best ways to learn and get work experience.