“I completed my level 2 and level 3 Apprenticeships, opened my own business, and am now working at a local restaurant in a managerial position. Not only did I benefit from my Apprenticeship in terms of new skills and qualifications, but it also gave me the confidence to try my hand at entrepreneurship.”
Gemma Barrett completed an Advanced Apprenticeship in Hospitality Supervision. But for Gemma, 26, the experience was not without its challenges. Changing employers, the loss of her mother and grandfather, starting up her business from scratch and then the closure of that business have all made for an extremely difficult few years for Gemma.
Gemma says: “It’s not been an easy journey. I have overcome more personal hurdles than most. I didn’t give up, though – I battled through and completed my Apprenticeship and have been doing well ever since. I know I will open up my own place in the future but shall work on my managerial skills and experience working for others first”.
Gemma decided to open her own sandwich shop while completing her Apprenticeship. She opened Carol’s Cobs, named in honour of her mother. Despite a strong, emotional attachment to the business Gemma realised that she rushed into opening the shop. After determining that it was not practical to continue operating, Gemma made the difficult decision to discontinue the business.
Gemma says: “I made the decision to close my shop, but I’m still proud as I learned a lot from the experience. My Apprenticeship not only gave me the confidence to run my own business for a time, but it has also given me skill sets and a qualification that will help me as my career progresses. I am now supporting my current staff by encouraging them to undertake Apprenticeships and follow in my footsteps.”
Gemma is now applying the hospitality skills she learned on her Apprenticeship by working at a local restaurant as part of its management training programme and hopes to be promoted to general manager of a new planned restaurant within a year.
Anne Harvey, Training Officer for Charnwood Training Consultants, said that Gemma’s story is one that everyone can be proud of.
Anne says: “Gemma has been an inspiration to me and Charnwood, as we have had people leave the programme for reasons much less serious than those which Gemma has overcome,” said Anne. “Gemma completed her level 2 apprenticeship, Advanced Apprenticeship and a selection of additional qualifications from first aid to personal license and continues to do well, while encouraging others to do the same. I know that her Mother and Grandfather would have been extremely proud of her and her accomplishments.”
Gemma was a finalist in the Advanced Apprentice of the Year category at the 2008 national Apprenticeship Awards.