THE REAL APPRENTICE
AS businesses up and down the country prepare to mark National Apprenticeship Week, we meet Isabelle Zaidi, 23, from South London. In one year, she has left behind the sporadic world of hospitality in exchange for a full-blown career in project management with Virgin Media O2.
Why did you become an apprentice?
I had been interested in apprenticeships since I left school but the salary for most jobs was far too low for me to be able to pay rent and bills. This led me to hourly paid hospitality jobs, where I could earn more.
One day I was on the Government’s apprenticeships website. I was browsing and saw Virgin Media O2’s job specification with a reasonable wage and good career prospects. The rest is history.
Why didn’t you go to university or college?
I always doubted whether I could complete a degree – plus I opted to work full-time to support my family.
I worked my way up to hospitality management knowing
I wanted to do more, but I lacked the courage.
My current role makes me feel valued and doesn’t define me by my previous qualifications. Just because I chose a different path, it doesn’t mean my destination isn’t where I will decide it will be.
Your education doesn’t define you – your steps towards your goals do. I always say, if you judge a fish and a monkey in their ability to climb a tree you get two very different results.
Just because someone doesn’t have a degree doesn’t mean they’re any less intelligent. It might just be their mind works in a different way.
Life might have come into play or you might just not have the time to dedicate to university, which is why this sort of position where you don’t need a degree is so important.
What has the past year as an apprentice been like?
Wonderful. We have one day a week which is focused on completing assignments/revision.
The end goal is to attain a Level 4 qualification in project management. When the role began, there was a total of four of us – we were all assigned separate managers and had our own individual workload.
We get to rotate every six months so we are constantly evolving our breadth of knowledge.
Has the role changed your life?
For the first time in my work career, I’m proud of the person I’ve become
Unbelievably so. My confidence is constantly building by having to present to colleagues, report back on findings, and also being held accountable.
This kind of discipline is something I realised I needed.
I would 100% say I am a different person as opposed to when I first started. For the first time in my work career, I can say I am proud of the person I have become.
Would you recommend a similar route?
Most definitely. If you are not successful don’t be too hard on yourself – keep going.
I had been rejected from multiple jobs I had my heart set on but, looking back, I am grateful I was looked over as I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Everything happens for a reason. I promise you there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You just can’t necessarily see it from where you are standing.