I MADE THE RIGHT JOB CONNECTION

STACEY’S FRESH START PAID OFF

MOST of us probably think apprenticeships are only for youngsters, but Stacey Drummond, at the grand old age of 33, knows different – she’s a network engineer apprentice for Virgin Media.

Proving you can always keep learning, Stacey, from Luton, switched from a job as a receptionist and embraced everything to do with science and technology.

What does your job involve?

I am on the road every day fixing and maintaining everything for people’s telephone, internet and TV connections. I cover Hertfordshire and do a lot of miles listening to Radio 1 and podcasts.

Those big green boxes you see at the end of your street – I often have my head in one of them, fault-finding and trying to work out what the problem is.

I love nothing more than solving the big puzzle of why something isn’t working.

I’m a mini Sherlock Holmes. I’ve also been a key worker throughout the pandemic, so I have kept really busy.

Where do you get the job satisfaction?

Knowing that I have helped someone stay connected is an amazing feeling, especially at this time when everyone is so dependent upon their technology.

I don’t tend to go into people’s houses much, but I know that what I am doing makes a massive difference. That feeling makes being out at 2am in the rain far easier – in truth though I don’t mind being on overnight stand-by.

I know that when I am called out it is a real emergency with maybe hundreds of people being without connections.

Does it feel odd being an apprentice at the age of 33?

Not at all. When I started in September 2019 I was one of several older people, plus there were several women too. Age really doesn’t matter – it is being curious that matters.

Even if it is a while since you were last in the classroom you get all the help and support you could possibly need.

How did you get into this line of work?

I studied dance at university just because I loved it and then had a series of different jobs, from air crew with Easyjet to customer service and receptionist work. I enjoyed them all.

One day I spotted an advert from Virgin Media looking for women to be technicians.

I’m not exactly sure why but it really appealed to me – I wanted to do something and to learn a whole new bunch of skills.

I applied and got the job. For a year I worked as a technician going into people’s homes and solving issues, but then the apprenticeship came up and I knew it was for me.

How has the apprenticeship worked?

To start with we were in the classroom and then assigned a mentor and on the road almost straightaway. You learn so much on the job with someone who is very experienced. I have a flexible day each week to continue my studies fitting around my shifts which is useful.

I struggled at times to learn the technical stuff but I had so much guidance and support.

I also write everything down and I have got there in the end.

Once my apprenticeship ends in September I intend carrying on what I am doing – there is always so much to learn.

When I am ready I can move up the career ladder.

What do you say to other people who are perhaps nervous to apply?

Don’t be. No matter what your age it really doesn’t matter, you just need to be prepared to learn and be curious about everything.

Apprenticeships

If you are looking to launch a career or retrain then apprenticeships are one of the best ways to start, even if you are not a school leaver. Whether it is a major employer or a small local business, bosses need apprentices.

Find the right one for you and your future is set.

Virgin Media is currently looking for 26 new apprentices (careers. virginmedia.com) throughout the UK with hundreds more opportunities due to go live this year.

Another place to start is apprenticeships.gov.uk (0800 0150 400). Also check out findajob.dwp. gov.uk where we saw 3,204 apprenticeships being offered.

The largest sectors are business, administration and law, with health, public services and care close behind. Not Going to Uni (notgoingtouni.co.uk) is listing 892 apprenticeships including IT, accounting and engineering.

There were several other older people on my course and several women too

Pay

Remuneration for apprentices varies and individual employers are also able to pay over the minimum if they wish. Current rates are £4.15 an hour (rising to £4.30 from April) for the first year for apprentices aged 19 or above.

After 12 months older apprentices must be paid the national minimum wage or national living wage for their age.

From April this is £6.56 (age up to 20), £8.36 (21 to 22), and £8.91 (which is the national living wage for those aged 23 and over).

SWITCHED ON Appenticeship worked wonders for Stacey, 33