Stepping foot onto a new career ladder can be intimidating, whether you’re straight out of school or have been in the world of work for years.
It’s why so many people choose apprenticeships as a way to build an occupation they can be passionate about.
An apprenticeship is a job with training. It’s a real job, with hands-on experience. You will have a contract of employment and an apprenticeship study programme to support your development.
And apprenticeships aren’t just for those who are beginning their careers.
Apprenticeships at Salford City College deliver a wide range of apprenticeships at many levels, including programmes for those already working at a management level.
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One such person is Sarah Scanlan. Last year, she moved into a more senior role at Salford City Council and went down the apprenticeship route to invest in her personal development to advance her leadership skills.
She said: “I saw this as a great opportunity to invest in me.
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“I had limited experience of managing people, and so I really felt the need to broaden my skill set.”
Sarah undertook her apprenticeship during the pandemic but found that studying in this way still provided a lot of support.
Sarah added: “It’s been really helpful to know that there is so much support on hand from the College, no matter what day or time, there’s always someone to help you when you need it.
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“My assessor Karen has been the biggest help to me throughout this whole process. Whether it’s at eight o’clock in the morning or six in the evening, she has been there to answer all of my burning questions.”
Sarah also had the task of supporting another apprentice at a much earlier stage of their career path, sharing her skills and knowledge with Level 3 Business Administration apprentice Jordi Matthews.
“Apprenticeships are challenging but immensely rewarding,” Sarah said.
Jordi said: “I chose to do an apprenticeship as I left University, and I thought that it was a great opportunity to get into the world of work and to get onto the career ladder.”
Another person who embarked on an apprenticeship later in life is Kris Buckley, who had previously worked as a section leader in a supermarket before undertaking an accountancy qualification.
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He said: “Working in an industry that wants and relies on experience, I feel privileged that my employer has invested in my development through an apprenticeship.
“With every big decision, there will be reservations, but deciding to pursue my apprenticeship was too good of an opportunity to pass up.”
Now almost finished with his apprenticeship, Kris said: “Having completed my level 2 qualification at Salford City College, undertaking an apprenticeship with the College felt like a positive next step, having experienced the expert and professional training they deliver.
“I am looking forward to the future and climbing up the ladder in my career.”
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If you would like to follow in the footsteps of Sarah, Jordi and Kris and start an apprenticeship, then contact the Apprenticeships at Salford City College team on: 0161 631 5555 or [email protected].
Featured image: Unsplash
Business
First look – Manchester-founded fashion brand Represent opens flagship store in city centre
Daisy Jackson
Represent will open the doors to its first-ever UK store this weekend – and of course, the proudly Manc business picked Manchester for its flagship location.
The luxury menswear brand, which is on track for a £100m turnover by the end of this year, is opening a beautiful 5,419sq ft store on New Cathedral Street.
Set to throw open the doors on Saturday 26 October, the stylish space has been decorated with neutral textured walls and parquet floor tiles, with the shape of a giant ‘R’ carved into the staircase.
In this exquisitely designed space, shoppers will be able to browse the range in person, with a second store to follow in London next year.
An entire floor of the new Manchester shop will be dedicated to the Represent performance wear range, 247.
Founded back in 2011 by Bolton-born brothers, George and Mike Heaton, Represent has gone from strength to strength, and has become, far and away, one of the UK’s best-loved luxury fashion labels – proving itself to be a proper local success story for the Greater Manchester region.
It has collaborated with numerous big-name celebrities since its launch, including Justin Bieber, the Kardashians, and even Manchester’s very-own Liam Gallagher.
Inspired by retro Mancunian designs, Represent’s popular ranges of t-shirts, hoodies, and trainers are regularly showcased at top fashion destinations worldwide.
Represent has been stocked in major department stores like Selfridges, Harrods and END, but this will be their biggest step away from their hugely successful online business model to date.
It will join neighbours such as Louis Vuitton, Selfridges, Paul Smith, Canada Goose, and Harvey Nichols in the heart of Manchester’s shopping district.
Represent Manchester opens this weekend. Credit: SuppliedRepresent Manchester opens this weekend. Credit: Supplied
George Heaton, Creative Director and Founder of Represent: “As we continue to grow as a brand, opening our first physical UK store was a natural progression.
“Given that Represent was born in Manchester, and it’s where our global HQ is based, the city was the only choice – it is in our DNA.
“The Represent Manchester location marks an important and iconic milestone for the brand; having spent the past three years planning physical retail footprints, trialling the senses of energy, look, feel, and scent through our partners such as Selfridges and Harrods along the process.”
Popular city centre coffee house Michaels to open new Manchester Arndale cafe
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Arndale is set to welcome another new resident very soon.
Michaels Coffee House is already one of the best-loved places to get your caffeine fix and a bite to eat in the city centre, but now it’s been announced this week that it’ll become the next independent Manchester business to move into Manchester Arndale after signing a 10-year lease to occupy a space on Halle Place.
The beloved business was founded by Thanasis Michael back in 2017, and has been serving up high-quality and ethically-sourced coffee in Manchester’s Royal Exchange ever since.
As well as offering an extensive range of hot and cold coffee drinks, you can also get smoothies, milkshakes, and juices, as well as curb your hunger cravings with toasties, breakfast buns, soups, pancakes, and so much more.
Popular city centre coffee house Michaels is opening a new Manchester Arndale cafe / Credit: Michaels Coffee House (via Instagram)
You can also satisfy your sweet tooth with a collection of different pastries, cakes, and cookies.
Everything you know and love about Michaels, including all of the limited-edition seasonal specials launched each year, will be moving to the city’s biggest shopping centre very soon.
Speaking on the announcement of Michaels’ move to the Arndale, Scott Linard, who is the Portfolio Manager for M&G Real Estate – one of the joint asset management companies for Manchester Arndale – said: “It’s great to welcome another growing Manchester-based business to the centre as we continue our commitment of supporting local independent brands who are seeking to grow their presence in the city.”
Steve Gray, who is the Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, called Michaels an “exciting independent cafe” providing shoppers with a great choice of food and drink options.