Apprentice who made her mark on Parliament
TEENAGER Kairon Flowers was so inspired by being an apprentice that she spoke about it to MPs in Parliament.
Kairon, 19, from Sheffield, is keen to pursue a career in business development. Last year, she gained a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship with Interserve Learning And Employment and is now working towards a Level 4 apprenticeship with the international support services and construction company.
She plans to study for a degree while furthering her career in business development.
‘I provide support and administrative assistance to the business development team,’ says Kairon.
‘I could be working on a range of opportunities one day and travelling to Birmingham for a solution workshop the next. It sounds cliched, but no two days are the same.
‘I am working on a project on the Apprenticeship Levy [a new tax on UK employers to fund more apprenticeships], which I am really enjoying because I can bring my first-hand experience to the project.’
Kairon’s career highlight to date was being invited to speak about being an apprentice to an audience of MPs and employers at the House of Commons.
‘It was an opportunity that I never thought someone like me would experience,’ she says. ‘I also recently won Yorkshire & Humber’s Advanced Apprentice Of The Year.
‘It is fantastic for my work to be recognised at such a high level, and it’s had a positive impact on me and the business. The best part of an apprenticeship is gaining a nationally recognised business qualification, which helps me to pursue a career in business development, all while earning a salary at the same time.
‘I would recommend apprenticeships to school leavers and students who doubt that college or university is the right route for them.’
Adrian Ringrose, chief executive of Interserve, says: ‘Like many other businesses, we have long recognised the importance and value of apprenticeships.
‘We have inspiring examples of apprentices who started out with us on the shop floor and are now managers and leaders.
‘In our business, we have hundreds of apprentices making a real difference to our business day in, day out, while gaining vital skills and experiences for their future careers.
‘It is something we have long been passionate about.’