‘My Advanced Apprenticeship and the NHS have helped me plan my future,’ says 19 year old Lucy, whose initiative on a project saw an incredible 104 per cent increase in interest.
When she left school at 16, Lucy lacked ambition. She did not want to go to college like all her friends as she had been left feeling uninspired at school. However, she then learned about Apprenticeships and decided this was the route for her.
Lucy started her Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Administration with the NHS in February 2005. ‘The thing that attracted me most to my Apprenticeship was the ability to earn whilst I learnt. I could not believe that within seven months I had completed my Apprenticeship, I was a different person with clear goals,’ said Lucy.
One of Lucy’s main roles involves helping unemployed men into health and social care. Whilst her colleagues were on leave, Lucy did some research and decided to host an information day, which was attended by 270 people. As a result, Lucy helped an average of four people a week to secure job interviews, including mentoring and coaching them. Lucy said: ‘At the beginning of the project there were three people in employment. Thanks to my idea, 250 have received information, 60 have been put through to interview and 40 men are now employed.’
Andy Brooks from NHS London said: ‘Lucy has more than proved herself and she is a shining example to her peers. She used her own initiative to promote the ‘Men into Care’ project and managed to increase interest in the project by 104 per cent. She has all the qualities of an experienced professional, and brings freshness and vibrancy to the team.
‘The impact of having such a positive young person working as an apprentice in the team has created a growing amount of interest throughout our organisation. Lucy’s drive and positive results have been one of the main reasons that the NHS is willing to continue running Apprenticeships.’
Lucy continued: ‘I love my job and the idea that I can actually help people through the work I am doing. I have helped promote the Apprenticeships we offer by talking to young people in schools and making them more aware of their options. It has been great.
‘In the space of two years I have completed my Advanced Apprenticeship and been promoted twice. I now have the ambition I once lacked and the motivation to go with it. I hope to study for a degree in business administration, and gain a management role in the future.’
Sheila Tempest, director of training provider Santy, is thrilled with Lucy’s progress and says she is an example to them all.
Lucy Rouillon is a finalist in the Advanced Apprentice of the Year category in the national Apprenticeship Awards 2007.
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