“My Apprenticeship has made my confidence soar. Before I started I had nothing to show for myself. I now understand that I can complete a high-standard of work and achieve qualifications to really help me get on in life.”
Claire Harrison, 21, completed her Apprenticeship in Team Leading with North Lancs Training Group. She is a valued member of staff at Dales Pharmaceuticals and has had a strong and measurable impact on the company’s success as a result of her Apprenticeship.
When she began as team leader in the packing department of the company, absenteeism was at 11 per cent. Within three months of Claire becoming team leader, absenteeism was reduced to 2 per cent and maintained that level for several months.
Claire says: “With the skills and knowledge I gained through my Apprenticeship, I have helped the packing department to improve budgets and efficiencies. I have also kept absenteeism below 3 per cent each month.”
Claire started working at Dales as a packer and then realised that she needed qualifications in order to progress within the company. She enrolled at college to gain basic maths and English skills and progressed onto an Apprenticeship to really get ahead in her career. By completing her Apprenticeship, Claire has progressed through the company from a packer to a supervisor running her own department.
Steve Dewar, Operations Director for Dales Pharmaceuticals, says that Claire’s strong performance has set the standard for her colleagues to follow: “Claire Harrison is a rising star within our organisation and has delivered on all levels. I am in no doubt that she has a strong future within our business and her rise through the ranks through her Apprenticeship is providing a standard for others to follow. Individuals are now seeing the benefits of hard work and commitment, resulting in more of our staff now wanting to train for qualifications.”
Claire says: “I feel a great sense of achievement from completing my Apprenticeship and it has increased my desire to learn. It has given me a better understanding and the skills required to enable me to work well with a team and understand what affect my role has within the department.”
Donna Coleman, Claire’s Training Officer from North Lancs Training Group says: “Claire has proved to be an extremely positive apprentice embracing the ethos of the apprenticeship to achieve her objectives and goals. She used her experience and knowledge in the workplace to support her apprenticeship and the apprenticeship to develop and prove she has the skills needed to become an outstanding team leader. This has given her the confidence to aim for the top and to enroll on the Advanced Apprenticeship in Management.”
Claire recently enrolled in an Advanced Apprenticeship in Management to help her career progression continue.
Claire was a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year category at the 2008 national Apprenticeship Awards.