Laura Webber: "I was able to fulfil a full time job and re-gain my GCSEs, something I was not able to complete whilst at school"

Route to success

Case study: Laura Webber tells us how her apprenticeship has opened up future opportunities

Posted by Stephanie Broad | November 05, 2015 | People, policy, politics

• #apprenticeships
• #barclays
• #career-options
• #education

Apprenticeships are a popular route into careers for those who don’t go to university. Initiatives such as QA’s 10k in Tech and business’ own schemes are helping young people to get a head start outside of the traditional academic routes. We spoke to Laura Webber, a Higher Level Apprentice at Barclays.

What was your main role and duties?

As part of the Higher Apprenticeship scheme, I have been with the Early Careers Team since June 2014 and am based in Barclays Head Office in Canary Wharf. My main duties are to support the Operational Specialists with the recruitment and on-boarding for all apprentices. In April, I was recognised as the National Apprentice of the Year by Target Jobs’ National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2015. This is my second apprenticeship within Barclays. I completed and graduated from my Entry Level Apprenticeship in the Canary Wharf Branch, 2 Churchill Place as a Cashier.

I was told about the Barclays Apprenticeship Programme at my local job centre. I applied immediately as I thought this was an amazing opportunity because I was able to fulfil a full time job and re-gain my GCSEs, something I was not able to complete whilst at school.

What have you enjoyed about the role and what benefits have you received?

Since becoming an apprentice I can honestly say that I have grown in confidence and I feel that I am always in a happy place. This is purely down to the wonderful people I work with. I am now able to look ahead and see a brighter and happier future for myself and develop my career here.

I would advise young people that an apprenticeship is a serious option to consider as it combines education with employment and it also opens further opportunities once you have completed your apprenticeship.

https://jobs.barclays.co.uk/apprenticeships-and-work-experience/