Meet the Team: Vicki Shaw

Vicki joined MTC Apprenticeships in 2018, and since then has helped to support over 300 apprentices to settle in to their apprenticeship and successfully complete the first year of their programme. We talked to her about why she loves her job, what makes the MTC a bit different, and why apprenticeships are such a great option for both learners and local businesses.

What is your role at the AMTC?

I’m one of the Apprentice Co-ordinators here at MTC Apprenticeships. My role is to support our learners throughout the first year of the programme, whilst they’re completing their ‘off-the-job’ training in the training centre and through remote learning, and I also help them to transition into industry to complete their apprenticeships.

Each learner is assigned a dedicated Apprentice Co-ordinator, so that they (and their employers) know who to turn to when they need our help. The support I provide is very varied – I look after their welfare, and help them overcome any challenges they’re facing, as well as conducting their reviews and reporting on their progress to their employers each week. As well as helping the learners, I also assist the employers to support their apprentices so that they get the best out of them. By building positive and responsive relationships with and between learners and employers, I make sure that everyone gets the most from our programme.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The people! As well as the apprentices, I’m very lucky to be part of a brilliant team that gets on well and for whom nothing is ever too much trouble. It’s a great environment to work in, because everyone is very open and friendly. We’re always ready to help each other, which means that I can be confident that I am supported to help our apprentices with whatever they need to succeed on their learning journey. When I know that I’ve helped to positively impact someone’s experience, that’s what makes all the hard work worth it.

Why is MTC Apprenticeships so important for local businesses?

We’re helping to create the next generation of the engineering industry. We support local businesses to create new apprentice jobs, which in turn creates fantastic opportunities for local people to kick start their engineering careers. For businesses, our apprenticeship programme is a brilliant way to mould your apprentices into your organisation’s culture so that at the end of their programme, you’ve got your ideal employee, trained up in the skills, knowledge and behaviours your business needs to succeed now and in the future.

How is the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre different from other training centres?

Just look at the building for starters! We’ve got a great environment and amazing facilities, especially for the apprentices, who have got access to the latest technology. Some of them will have never had the opportunity to experience anything like this before.

Also at the MTC Apprenticeships, the apprentice comes first – we always work to align with their needs, and always do what’s best for them. We’ll provide whatever support they need to make sure that they fulfil their potential.

In your opinion, what are the benefits of choosing an apprenticeship?

A purely classroom-based learning environment doesn’t suit everyone, and lots of people learn best through practical experience – an apprenticeship gives you the best of both worlds. Our apprenticeship programme combines these for the maximum benefit of the learner, so you have the opportunity to learn through hands-on experience, as well as gaining the theory side of things. And of course there’s the opportunity to earn while you learn – I think all of our apprentices will tell you that’s a brilliant benefit!

Why should someone choose to study with MTC Apprenticeships?

We’ve got so much to offer to our learners – from our small group sizes, great facilities and positive learning environment to our super supportive trainers and an excellent enrichment programme. We are committed to supporting each and every apprentice to be the very best they can be, both professionally and personally. There are lots of opportunities to get involved in projects that are a bit different too, like Project Slingshot (in which our apprentices are helping to build a working plane – I’m not joking!) as well as our STEM Ambassador programme and helping out with events like our Open Evenings. If you’re looking to get the best skills and to gain confidence by working with a brilliant group of people, come and join us here at MTC Apprenticeships!