How UEA apprenticeship is supporting my personal development
By: Communications
Sports administrator Hugh Braidwood has gone from arranging inter-university competitions to supporting childcare facilities for NHS workers. Now he’s taking advantage of UEA’s new apprenticeship programme.
Hugh joined UEA at the end of 2019. He’s based at Sportspark and his role is to coordinate local, inter-university and national competitions for the University’s 58 sport clubs. But since Covid he’s been a team leader for the NHS Camp, supporting childcare for NHS workers at Sportspark, and a Sportspark Sustainability Champion working on schemes to reduce the carbon impact of travel for sport.
He's joined up to UEA’s Aspiring Leader’s Apprenticeship to develop the skills he’s learnt in the past year and to be more effective in his role.
“Personal development and constantly learning whilst I work is very important to me and I know it benefits both me and the University,†said Hugh.
“The complete change in my role at UEA means I’ve taken on more responsibilities which demand new and different qualities and skills. I believe the apprenticeship will help me develop as a project manager, boost my decision making skills and teach me how to build stronger relationships.â€
Hugh is one of over 20 UEA staff who’ve taken advantage of the UEA’s new apprenticeships launched last November to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours of existing employees.
This week is National Apprenticeship Week with the theme “Build for the Futureâ€. The University is continuing to increase the breadth of its training offer with 24 different types of apprenticeships from hospitality to business administration, fitness and sport to skilled trade roles, with many more becoming available as demand grows.
Today sees the launch of a new Developing Leader’s Apprenticeship Programme – an 18-month Level 5 scheme, aimed at department/operations managers, or those aspiring to move into that role in the future. Strategic planning, influencing and managing talent and performance are key skills that will be developed. Applications are open until 26 February, for an April start, with another round later in the year.
There’s also plans for a Level 4 Associate Project Manager apprenticeship in the spring aimed at those who spend lots of time managing projects within their role, but with limited previous training.
Image: Helen Wiseman, Director of People and Culture at UEA
Helen Wiseman, Director of People and Culture at UEA said “It’s really great to see staff like Hugh, who have adapted and learnt new skills during the pandemic, wanting to grow and develop further. As he says his apprenticeship will not only benefit his future career, but also us as an organisation as we all gain from his increased performance and abilities.â€
Image: Nick Green, Head of Employee Apprenticeships, UEA
Nick Green is UEA’s Head of Employee Apprenticeships. “We have so many opportunities now for staff of all levels with different interests and aspirations to build their knowledge and talent,†he says. “Apprenticeships are particularly relevant if you have recently been promoted or started a new job, or if a change in your role has identified a particular skills or knowledge gap. Discus your career plans with your manager, take a look at our webpage to see what apprenticeship might suit your needs and please contact me for any queries you might have.â€
For more information please contact: nick.green@uea.ac.uk.
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