- 16:22
- 0 Comments
Networking is a key area of professional development in the working world, which departments within the University of Oxford value greatly. Having a strong network - or community - of people within a similar field as you can truly benefit your learning and development opportunities.
The University of Oxford Apprenticeship Networking Group is a community of University Apprentices who get together termly (currently via ZOOM) to communicate and connect with other apprentices working within the University. It’s a safe space where you can ask questions about your course and is used as a platform to support one another throughout our apprenticeships and beyond.
The sessions held are all about networking with other apprentices, enabling you to ask those key questions and learn valuable life experiences about apprenticeships from others. Networking activities are held to initiate ‘chat’ between the groups, and development opportunities are included in the sessions such as guest speakers coming to speak about work experiences after their apprenticeship, sharing top tips, sharing useful links for apprentices to check out and assist with their ‘off-the-job’ training, or how to write a stand out CV. Each session is equally as unique, engaging and apprentices come away not only having had a great time, but also having learnt something new.
“Thank you so much Teya, you really did a fantastic job with the meeting well done, It was so great to see you... but also all the other apprentices and catch up with what they’ve been doing. I will definitely make sure to check out the useful links document because I know soon I will be hoping to move up into other positions within the university.” ~ Thomas Rotton, Apprentice Facilities Support Assistant
“Thank you so much for the session. I really enjoyed it and it was great to meet everybody!” ~ Isobel Stokoe, HR Administration Apprentice
Thank you so much for asking me to come on as a guest speaker! Very impressed with myself for how well it went... Well done to the both of you for organising such a great session, I really enjoyed it. I’m glad you liked my top tips!” ~ Natalie Davis, Teaching and Services Technician and previous apprentice
"Many thanks for doing the Christmas quiz that was really great fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it, can’t wait to do more networking sessions in the new year." ~ Thomas Rotton, Apprentice Facilities Support Assistant
If you would like any more information, have any questions or would like to sign up please visit our webpage for more information!
- 13:38
- 0 Comments
Over the past 2 years I have been completing my Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology.
My role as a services technician includes a wide range of tasks such as making agar plates and media, mycoplasma testing, washing glassware, helping in stores with accepting deliveries, and then phoning the relevant group to collect the packages. During my Apprenticeship I also had opportunities to spend time in different areas of the department including the electron microscope facility, flow cytometry facility and one of the labs in my department which is led by Jordan Raff. I feel so privileged to have been given the opportunity to explore these areas in my department as well as doing my day to day role.
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| Natalie Davis, Apprentice Laboratory Technician |
Finishing my Apprenticeship...
It feels so strange to be writing about finishing my Apprenticeship, the past 2 years have gone by so quickly! The Apprenticeship that I completed had two separate grades to it, one of which is the BTEC level 3 in Applied Science in which I got a D*D* (distinction *). Then the overall Apprenticeship grade which was from my end point assessment (EPA) . For me this involved a whole day of being assessed which was an observation of me working and carrying out different tasks, a professional discussion and then a case study test to apply my knowledge. At the end of this day I was very happy with how it went and I was very glad when I found out I had passed overall.
How do I feel now I have finished?
Well I am obviously very happy to have successfully completed my Apprenticeship! My overall experience as an apprentice has been such a positive one, and one where I have developed a wide range of skills and knowledge that I know I will be able to adapt to any future job. As well as this I have developed confidence in my abilities and I know that will stick with me for a long time. Being an apprentice has kick started my career and I am so glad I decided to do an Apprenticeship and not go to university.
What I am doing now....
I am very lucky in the fact I have been able to keep my same job. The wait to find out whether I was keeping my job seemed like a very long time due to the current pandemic situation but I was very relieved and happy when I found out I had my job still. This has been such a positive end to my Apprenticeship and I am very grateful to still be working here.
Is there any differences to my job now?
Well the obvious difference is that I have a different title which is now ‘Teaching and Services Technician’. Another difference is that I am now part of the Athena SWAN committee in my department, representing the professional support staff. Otherwise my job is exactly the same, just with the added bonus of a pay increase.
4 years ago when I was in the last year of my A Levels and making that decision whether to go to university, I never would have dreamed of working at Oxford University. Yet here I am those few years later having completed my Apprenticeship and have a full time job - all at a place I never would have imagined working.
Read Natalie's case study on our website!
15.10.2020
- 10:16
- 0 Comments
Apprentice Teya Agnese, in the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), was recently nominated in the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards for the 'Intermediate Apprentice of the Year'. We are so pleased that Teya not only managed to win this award, but then went on to receive the overall 'Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year' Award 2020. This is a huge achievement and so well deserved!
The sponsors of the intermediate award, Abbott Diabetes Care, chose Teya as the winner because, "her enthusiasm for the programme infected the whole department she worked in. Her enthusiasm and passion to do things different and to drive on in the Apprenticeship scheme had really impacted the whole department in a positive way".
The sponsor of the overall Apprenticeship Award, High Spec Composites, chose Teya as the overall winner. They also said: "[Teya's] application really did stand out to us because she goes above and beyond in her role." They also mentioned the fact that Teya has designed and implemented her own blog which really helps to spread awareness and benefits of Apprenticeships to a wider audience.
We asked Teya how it felt to win both the intermediate award and then the Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year award...
"I felt over the moon to have won the Intermediate Apprentice of the Year, so when I kept watching and High Spec Composites announced at the end of the broadcast that I had also won Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year too I was speechless… and (as my family and I were watching the broadcast of the awards ceremony in the kitchen) I leaped off of my chair and did a little celebratory dance with them. I feel so honoured to have made it this far in my apprenticeship, and I am truly grateful to have such a supportive team by my side".
The Awards took place online, on Thursday 1 October and can be viewed on OxLEP's Youtube page.
You can also see a full breakdown of the award winners on the Oxfordshire Apprenticeships page.
Teya recently won the '2nd year Apprentice Award' at our own University of Oxford Apprenticeship Awards in March. See more about this on our blog post.
Read more about Teya's Apprenticeship story on our website. Read the case study here!
07/10/2020
- 11:53
- 0 Comments
We are thrilled to announce that for the second year running, the University of Oxford has placed within the Top 50 for Rate My Apprenticeship’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers Table 2020-21!
We are really proud of this achievement - particularly as the table is based solely on honest reviews from some of our fantastic apprentices across all departments and divisions. Our apprentices contribute so much and we are really pleased that they see the University as one of the top Apprenticeship employers.
The Rate My Apprenticeship awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of apprentices, schools & colleges, employers and training providers in Apprenticeships. To find out more, visit: https://www.ratemyapprenticeshipawards.co.uk/
- 13:03
- 0 Comments
During this time of uncertainty, we know a lot of people's job roles have changed in line with the situations they are in. For many of our apprentices, this can be especially daunting, as they may be new into their post or finding it difficult to juggle extra responsibilities with adapted online Apprenticeship learning.
We know just how important our apprentices across the University are, and the importance of the roles they play. Now we want to share some of their inspiring stories with you!
Despite this challenging start, Ellie has already taken on real responsibility within the Finance Division and has integrated incredibly well into our team."
- Rebecca Waterman, Deputy Head of Administration
What Apprenticeship have you started and what made you go for this role?
I started a business administration apprenticeship on the 30th of March (1 week into lockdown). There are a few reasons for wanting this role, to gain experience in the workplace, learn new skills, potentially get a permanent job but also because I wanted to find something I could get stuck into and enjoy.
What was your initial reaction to being told you would have to work from home (wfh) in your new job?
Being told I would have to start this new apprenticeship from home was very weird. I could’ve never imagined it! I had prepared myself for my first day and had bought work clothes and I was quite disheartened to find out I won’t be starting in the office.
What did you do in your first day/week?
In my first week, I set up my emails and got started on other university systems with help from my manager. It was quite a challenge and after a few calls to IT, I mostly had everything necessary set up.
Are you enjoying wfh? Have there been many challenges?
In terms of working from home, it is not what I was expecting at all. Some days I really like it and don’t mind it but other days it would be nice to have some human interaction! It has brought its challenges. Firstly, I was working on a Macbook to start with and the university systems tend to work a lot better with windows. Moreover, macs can be very problematic and a lot of hassle. Also, working at home with 3 people sat at the dining table is far from ideal.
Are you looking forward to going into the offices for the first time and meeting everyone properly?
It’s been an adjustment since lockdown due to a lack of technology and also bringing in new and important procedures that all of our team need to adhere to.
Are you enjoying your new set up? Have there been many challenges?
So far, working from home has proved challenging but working as a team has always made it successful!
How has your Apprenticeship training changed?
All of my teaching has moved to webinars via google hangout. This has been difficult for me as I started mid lockdown meaning I have had to adapt to learning and working remotely.
What are you looking forward to most when things return to (the new) normal?
I’m looking forward to going back to the office and seeing my team. My job often requires me to go out to our sites which is something I enjoy about my apprenticeship.
"When the lockdown began and our manager told us we all had to start working from home I was a bit worried as I had never had to do anything like this before. Luckily I have a desk in my room so I was able to bring my monitor, laptop, keyboard and mouse home, so I could keep things as normal as possible. At first it was quite a big change and a shock as our office was still very paper based. We quickly had to change the way we were working and have documents such as invoices and credit notes saved electronically on the shared drive so that we could all see them. As I work in a finance department I am quite lucky as most of the work I do is online and can be done from my home, the only real difference is not seeing my colleagues every day. Microsoft Teams has been a big help during this lockdown, being able to quickly ask my colleagues a question or have Team video calls to catch up. Teams has also enabled me to undertake some training that I would usually have to complete in a classroom with our training team. This was really useful as I needed to complete some training so I can help assist with journaling the credit card costs.
Although at first I wasn’t keen about working at home I think it has really helped me to become more organised, and appreciate the help I receive from everyone in my office.
I think that when things go back to normal it will be a ‘new normal’. We have discovered many things during this lockdown and have found ways of overcoming challenges that we never thought we would be able to do."
- Freya Cooke, Apprentice Finance Assistant
"My experience working from home at central finance has been quite varied.
On one side I am continuing work as part of the payments team for two days of the week, where we have had to adapt to the constraints of remote working. Before lockdown happened, we relied heavily on using physical copies of everything, from receiving post to filing away documents. In the absence of this we have had to build a system of working that uses the shared drive to simulate our day-to-day roles, while allowing us to work seamlessly together as a fairly large team. While the quantity of work may have decreased over time, the challenge of approaching this new style of work has made many jobs take a lot longer.
On the other hand, I have been taking part in testing with the FSSC on the ‘Upgrade to SplashBI Reporting’ project for two days a week. In contrast this work is purely online, the lockdown has had no effect on the difficulty of work. The testing involves working alongside and communicating with only a handful of people, a lot of the time I am also working independently. Additionally, the total workload has been completely unaffected by Covid-19, the project has the same timeframe as before."
We know just how important our apprentices across the University are, and the importance of the roles they play. Now we want to share some of their inspiring stories with you!
Ellie Knight, Finance Division
"Our newest apprentice, Ellie Knight, has experienced a rather unusual start to her Business Administration Apprenticeship. Ellie started her apprenticeship with us on Monday 30 March 2020 – one week into lockdown. We’ve had to work out how to set Ellie up to work and learn entirely remotely. This has been an interesting challenge which Ellie has dealt with remarkably well. Ellie and I have only ever met in person once, at interview. All of our contact since Ellie started in post has been virtual – email, Teams etc.Despite this challenging start, Ellie has already taken on real responsibility within the Finance Division and has integrated incredibly well into our team."
- Rebecca Waterman, Deputy Head of Administration
We asked Ellie a few questions about her Apprenticeship...
What Apprenticeship have you started and what made you go for this role?
I started a business administration apprenticeship on the 30th of March (1 week into lockdown). There are a few reasons for wanting this role, to gain experience in the workplace, learn new skills, potentially get a permanent job but also because I wanted to find something I could get stuck into and enjoy.
What was your initial reaction to being told you would have to work from home (wfh) in your new job?
Being told I would have to start this new apprenticeship from home was very weird. I could’ve never imagined it! I had prepared myself for my first day and had bought work clothes and I was quite disheartened to find out I won’t be starting in the office.
What did you do in your first day/week?
In my first week, I set up my emails and got started on other university systems with help from my manager. It was quite a challenge and after a few calls to IT, I mostly had everything necessary set up.
Are you enjoying wfh? Have there been many challenges?
In terms of working from home, it is not what I was expecting at all. Some days I really like it and don’t mind it but other days it would be nice to have some human interaction! It has brought its challenges. Firstly, I was working on a Macbook to start with and the university systems tend to work a lot better with windows. Moreover, macs can be very problematic and a lot of hassle. Also, working at home with 3 people sat at the dining table is far from ideal.
Are you looking forward to going into the offices for the first time and meeting everyone properly?
I will be very glad when I can finally go into the office and meet all the people I have been emailing/video calling for weeks. It is very odd meeting someone via email/teams! I think overall, it’s made me realise that working from home has its pros and cons but I am proud of myself for managing to start my first proper job in an office, at home!
Millie Thompson, Graduate Accommodation
"We think Millie Thompson (aka The Milster) is amazing!!
Millie has been an indispensable member of the Graduate Accommodation Team. At the start of lock down Mille was only armed with an Ipad and a mobile phone. Therefore working with limited access to software packages and not being able to see shared drives was pretty hard going. Millie, cracked on, kept a cool head and eventually, she got a laptop.
Whilst other departments were fully closed, Graduate Accommodation, remained open, tenants were still in residence and still had urgent maintenance requests that needed attending to. In addition Graduate Accommodation like other departments lost staff due to shielding and furlough, so Millie and the remaining members of the Graduate Accommodation team were required to bridge the gaps, picking up additional roles and responsibilities. Millie has really upped her game during lockdown, she steps in, takes ownership and is using her initiative. Millie is always willing to help. Her daily roles consists of picking up maintenance requests from the tenants via the help desk, raising orders and daily correspondence with Site Assistants and Contractors to ensure, works are completed in safe timely fashion. On top of all of this, she’s trying to learn CAD from her kitchen table as her first module for her HNC. Myself and the Graduate Accommodation Team, think she is amazing."
- Shelly Rand, Graduate Accommodation Clerk of Works
- Shelly Rand, Graduate Accommodation Clerk of Works
"Millie has been an absolute star, going from working in the office and out on site to making things happen from her kitchen table. The GA team have experienced a period of great uncertainty (as has the rest of the world), and changes in staffing and staff capacity. Millie has really stepped up to take on additional responsibility and help out wherever she can.
She has been dealing directly with tenants on their maintenance issues, and making sure that precautionary measures are taken to allow work to take place safely. The GA Office are really grateful for Millie’s assistance, she is a great asset to the team. "
- Sara Leniec, Graduate Accommodation Manager
- Sara Leniec, Graduate Accommodation Manager
We asked Millie a few questions about her Apprenticeship...
What is your job role and Apprenticeship? How long have you been in it?
I started my apprenticeship with the Graduate Accommodation team doing a level 2 Business Administration course. I finished this course in January and started a HNC in Construction Management in April. I mainly work alongside my manager Shelly who is the Clerk of works for Graduate housing meaning I’m involved with lots of maintenance issues.
How has your job role changed since lockdown?
It’s been an adjustment since lockdown due to a lack of technology and also bringing in new and important procedures that all of our team need to adhere to.
Are you enjoying your new set up? Have there been many challenges?
So far, working from home has proved challenging but working as a team has always made it successful!
How has your Apprenticeship training changed?
All of my teaching has moved to webinars via google hangout. This has been difficult for me as I started mid lockdown meaning I have had to adapt to learning and working remotely.
What are you looking forward to most when things return to (the new) normal?
I’m looking forward to going back to the office and seeing my team. My job often requires me to go out to our sites which is something I enjoy about my apprenticeship.
Freya Cooke, Engineering Science
"When the lockdown began and our manager told us we all had to start working from home I was a bit worried as I had never had to do anything like this before. Luckily I have a desk in my room so I was able to bring my monitor, laptop, keyboard and mouse home, so I could keep things as normal as possible. At first it was quite a big change and a shock as our office was still very paper based. We quickly had to change the way we were working and have documents such as invoices and credit notes saved electronically on the shared drive so that we could all see them. As I work in a finance department I am quite lucky as most of the work I do is online and can be done from my home, the only real difference is not seeing my colleagues every day. Microsoft Teams has been a big help during this lockdown, being able to quickly ask my colleagues a question or have Team video calls to catch up. Teams has also enabled me to undertake some training that I would usually have to complete in a classroom with our training team. This was really useful as I needed to complete some training so I can help assist with journaling the credit card costs.
Although at first I wasn’t keen about working at home I think it has really helped me to become more organised, and appreciate the help I receive from everyone in my office.
I think that when things go back to normal it will be a ‘new normal’. We have discovered many things during this lockdown and have found ways of overcoming challenges that we never thought we would be able to do."
- Freya Cooke, Apprentice Finance Assistant
Oscar Cherrill, Finance Division
"My experience working from home at central finance has been quite varied.
On one side I am continuing work as part of the payments team for two days of the week, where we have had to adapt to the constraints of remote working. Before lockdown happened, we relied heavily on using physical copies of everything, from receiving post to filing away documents. In the absence of this we have had to build a system of working that uses the shared drive to simulate our day-to-day roles, while allowing us to work seamlessly together as a fairly large team. While the quantity of work may have decreased over time, the challenge of approaching this new style of work has made many jobs take a lot longer.
On the other hand, I have been taking part in testing with the FSSC on the ‘Upgrade to SplashBI Reporting’ project for two days a week. In contrast this work is purely online, the lockdown has had no effect on the difficulty of work. The testing involves working alongside and communicating with only a handful of people, a lot of the time I am also working independently. Additionally, the total workload has been completely unaffected by Covid-19, the project has the same timeframe as before."
- Oscar Cherrill, Apprentice Finance and Accounting Technician
- 10:25
- 0 Comments
We recently caught up with former apprentice (& creator of this blog!) Sophie Bebb, to find out what she's been up to since her Apprenticeship with Said Business School at the University of Oxford.
Find out more about our Apprenticeships, visit the University of Oxford Apprenticeships page.
"Well. This is a rather strange thing to be writing.
In some ways it feels like I finished my Apprenticeship just
yesterday, so when I think about it actually being almost 4 years, it’s pretty
mind-blowing. Even more so being asked to write a post about what I’ve been up to, for a blog I setup and managed during my final year.
So, what’s life had in store since?
I finished my Apprenticeship in 2016 and with the funds I
was able to save while working and studying I took a sort of gap-year to go
travelling, mainly around Canada and Australia.
When I came back, I took a job with an equestrian company
where I stayed for nearly two years. These two years were filled with
incredible opportunities, including flying to the U.S.A for trade events and
getting to visit New York on two occasions. I travelled around the UK for
photo-shoots, showrooms, fashion shows, in-store design projects and huge events
in the equestrian calendar. I met some of my best friends on this job
and learned more about myself than I can ever say, but something I definitely learned
the hard way is that… without sounding too cringe. All that glitters is not
gold. Burnout is not something to be taken lightly. Know your limits, taking
care of your mental health will always come first.
After making the decision to leave, I began working with my
parents on a family business project called Oxford Camera, which I completely
adore and makes me feel connected to my roots. I setup our first social media
campaign and helped build a Shopify e-commerce store from scratch.
Later that year, an opportunity for my partner's work arose, to take a
contact to live near Paris, France for 6 months. So, I decided to take the leap
and work fully freelance for a few new clients. This included social media and
website management for Performance Insights, a business providing tailored
keynote presentations from the world of Formula 1 through workshops with F1
experts and star drivers. During this time, I also worked with start-up company
OhEmGee Digital, a marketing agency tailored towards the equestrian market on client
contract and relations management.
In December 2019, my partner was offered a job of a lifetime
in Australia. And living there one day is something we had always talked about
ever since we first visited back in 2016 after I finished my Apprenticeship.
So, I guess that brings us to today. We have been living in
South Australia for a little while now. Luckily, we were able to move here just
before COVID-19 bought the world to a complete standstill. Once life starts to
get back to normal again, I’ll be looking for my next career adventure in
Adelaide. One thing for sure is, I will always be so grateful for the career
kickstart I got from my Apprenticeship at Oxford. There are still so many
things I use in my day-to-day work that I learned while working here. I
still manage my inbox and to-do lists exactly how my wonderful managers and mentors
taught me, and I still use a very similar template for project planning when
I’m managing events.
My biggest piece of advice to anyone currently doing an Apprenticeship is to just see everything as a new learning opportunity. The Apprenticeships team at Oxford is wonderfully supportive and there are so many
resources available that you can use as stepping stones to help you get where
you want to go. And even if you’re still unsure of that – that’s fine too.
Apprenticeships are only the beginning J
Take care everyone!"
- 10:00
- 0 Comments
The winner of our Training Provider Individual award went to... Gemma Burgess!
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| Claire Rees from OUP (left) presenting the award to Gemma Burgess (right) |
1) What is your role? How does it relate to our apprentices?
My role at Abingdon and Witney College is Quality Lead for the Work Based Learning Team. I work with all of the Employer Services team from recruitment and business development to delivery of apprenticeships to ensure that we provide the highest quality provision to all of our apprentices. Within my role I volunteered to support and assess apprentices at the University who are undertaking the Level 5 Operational/Departmental Manager apprenticeship.
2) Can you describe some benefits of undertaking Apprenticeship based training?
As a former accountancy apprentice myself I truly believe that an apprenticeship based training programme really does open doors and lead to numerous career progression opportunities. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am now if I hadn’t been given the opportunity. An apprenticeship not only provides knowledge within the subject area related to the role but it also develops transferable skills and behaviours that are relevant to any employment. Apprenticeship training is an excellent way to gather knowledge both on and off the job that allows individuals to learn and earn at the same time.
3) What was your reaction to winning your award?
I was so pleased to have been shortlisted as a finalist with two of my colleagues that it really was a surprise to win, as assessing is only a small element to my job role, even though this is what I have been doing for over 10 years. I am keen to support others to help them achieve their goals and it was great for the apprentices to recognise this through the nominations.
4) What would you recommend to anyone else considering an Apprenticeship/taking on an apprentice?
As an employer – take on an apprentice, they’re keen to learn and extremely hard working! As a potential apprentice – you will learn so much on this journey, embrace it! An apprenticeship has so many benefits to an employer as well as the apprentice themselves. It’s hard work for both parties and a big commitment, but a completely beneficial process.
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| Finalists for Training Provider Individual Award |
- 10:58
- 0 Comments
With over 100 apprentices across the University in all 78 departments, studying over 26 varying Apprenticeship courses, what happens when there is a national pandemic and we are all told to work from home (WFH) if we can?
Well, we've asked a few of our apprentices to share their WFH set up with us, explaining how they are continuing with work. Read on for some of their top tips...
How, as an Apprentice Clinical Trial Support Officer studying a Level 3 Business Admin course, have I adapted to working from home throughout this pandemic, and what do I do to stay motivated?
Firstly, it’s really useful to have a work space set up in a quiet location where you can put your laptop (and monitors if you have them), and bring that work environment feeling into the space. You may be tempted to work from your sofa, or whilst laying in bed, but these locations imply connotations intended for relaxation. Whereas, having a space set up like your desk would be at your workplace will help to keep you motivated throughout the day, minimising potential distractions.
My work is administration and data entry based, so luckily my job role is easily adaptable to the ‘work from home life.’ The only difference is that I am unable to print off forms that I have entered and file them. So, I make sure to keep a track of what I have done and as a result the task can be completed when I return to the office. I also dedicate every Friday to completing coursework for my Apprenticeship.
Similarly, I like to start each day by writing out a to-do list of what I need to get done. I mix up smaller and larger tasks throughout the day to ensure my day is varied and interesting, ticking them off as I go (which is certainly rewarding) and makes you feel really accomplished by the end of the day.
Something that I would say is KEY whilst working from home is to keep up communication with your team (along with friends and family). A really valuable tool that we have been using is ‘Microsoft Teams.’
It is very beneficial to talk to your team: don’t be afraid to go to them with any questions you may have, ask or suggest any motivation techniques, or even if it’s for an update or a chat. Whilst working from home, it is easy for your independence to take over, which is a valuable skill when sitting and completing tasks from home, but it is really useful to take a few moments each day to catch-up with members of your team to maintain your team building skills and connections. I find that this too adds structure to my day, giving me something to look forward to and sets me tasks that fuel my motivation. Also, just being able to see the lovely smiling faces of your colleagues can really lift your mood and brighten your day.
Whilst working from home, it can be hard to keep concentration levels up, or you can find yourself working continuously for hours. It is important to have a good balance of work and break times.
A good technique that our team discussed, and that I have personally implemented into my routine, to help us stay motivated whilst working from home is one called the ‘Marinara/ Pomodoro Custom Timer.’ This is a custom Pomodoro-style timer which you can modify to fit your daily routine. You set time segments within 1 hour that fit your workflow. For instance, you can set your timer so that you work solidly for 50 minutes, and then take a 10 minute break to have a coffee and relax your mind. Then repeat – ensuring that you still take your lunch break. This method is also good if you want to improve your time management skills and productivity.
Stay safe everyone and hopefully we will return to our normal working conditions soon. :)
During these strange and uncertain times in our lives, we’re all facing a variety of challenges and difficulties whilst working from the comfort of our own homes.
Whether working, studying or simply at a loss for what to do; it’s vital to set yourself a strict schedule…and stick to it!
I know the temptation to lounge in bed until midday can be very compelling, but it’s important to set yourself a daily routine in order to stay as productive and positive as possible.
Like the rest of the world, I also find myself working from my bedroom (not bed) – which is strange and definitely a new learning curve for me. At the time I’m writing this, I’ve been “social distancing”/working from home for a mere 10 days now. Believe me when I tell you - I did not have a routine set down from day 1! This stuff takes time – so feel free to trial and error it.
Below is an example of the schedule I’ve set myself in order to keep on top of my workload. You’ll see I’ve also allocated personal time for my own well-being (be it going for a run or simply having a coffee with my family). This is important! We may be in this situation for a little while, so taking a little time for yourself is crucial.
My routine:
7.30am - Wake up and have breakfast/get ready for the day
8.30am – Turn on computer and start work for the day
9.30am – Daily team meeting/check-in Zoom call
10.30am – Tea/coffee break
12pm – Lunch break (during this time I like to go for a walk or a run and get some much-needed Vitamin D )
1pm – Work on my apprentice portfolio
2.30pm – Tea/coffee break
4.30pm – Finish work for the day
REST OF DAY – Down time, dinner and bed
Obviously, days can vary – so don’t feel like those timings are set in stone. Some days you may have a lot more down time than usual, and others you may be up to your eyeballs in emails. It’s a strange time for us all, but if you can shape your days as much as possible– soon it’ll become a routine. We all need a bit of structure at this moment in time, so why not make a conscious effort to structure your day?
Q: How are you finding working from home?
“I would usually travel into work every day and listen to music, read a book or listen to a podcast. But as I’m not travelling to and from work, I now play music out loud as soon as I wake up to set me ready for the day.”
Q: What is the first thing you do in the morning?
"Every morning I wake up at 7/7.30am, put on a pot of coffee, and start working immediately - I only start making breakfast once I feel I need a break, that’s usually after our team coffee catch-up. I'm a morning person and find I can get a ton done in the early morning hours, so this works really well for me."
Q:Are you taking the same steps, as you would going into work?
“I’ve found that transitioning from my pillow to my desk, and dressing like I would in the office, changes my mental state like I’m going into the office.
I also structure my days as I usually would in the office, I make a conscious effort every day to schedule my work in my calendar”.
Well, we've asked a few of our apprentices to share their WFH set up with us, explaining how they are continuing with work. Read on for some of their top tips...
Teya Agnese
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| Teya's WFH set-up |
How, as an Apprentice Clinical Trial Support Officer studying a Level 3 Business Admin course, have I adapted to working from home throughout this pandemic, and what do I do to stay motivated?
Firstly, it’s really useful to have a work space set up in a quiet location where you can put your laptop (and monitors if you have them), and bring that work environment feeling into the space. You may be tempted to work from your sofa, or whilst laying in bed, but these locations imply connotations intended for relaxation. Whereas, having a space set up like your desk would be at your workplace will help to keep you motivated throughout the day, minimising potential distractions.
My work is administration and data entry based, so luckily my job role is easily adaptable to the ‘work from home life.’ The only difference is that I am unable to print off forms that I have entered and file them. So, I make sure to keep a track of what I have done and as a result the task can be completed when I return to the office. I also dedicate every Friday to completing coursework for my Apprenticeship.
Similarly, I like to start each day by writing out a to-do list of what I need to get done. I mix up smaller and larger tasks throughout the day to ensure my day is varied and interesting, ticking them off as I go (which is certainly rewarding) and makes you feel really accomplished by the end of the day.
Something that I would say is KEY whilst working from home is to keep up communication with your team (along with friends and family). A really valuable tool that we have been using is ‘Microsoft Teams.’
It is very beneficial to talk to your team: don’t be afraid to go to them with any questions you may have, ask or suggest any motivation techniques, or even if it’s for an update or a chat. Whilst working from home, it is easy for your independence to take over, which is a valuable skill when sitting and completing tasks from home, but it is really useful to take a few moments each day to catch-up with members of your team to maintain your team building skills and connections. I find that this too adds structure to my day, giving me something to look forward to and sets me tasks that fuel my motivation. Also, just being able to see the lovely smiling faces of your colleagues can really lift your mood and brighten your day.
Whilst working from home, it can be hard to keep concentration levels up, or you can find yourself working continuously for hours. It is important to have a good balance of work and break times.
A good technique that our team discussed, and that I have personally implemented into my routine, to help us stay motivated whilst working from home is one called the ‘Marinara/ Pomodoro Custom Timer.’ This is a custom Pomodoro-style timer which you can modify to fit your daily routine. You set time segments within 1 hour that fit your workflow. For instance, you can set your timer so that you work solidly for 50 minutes, and then take a 10 minute break to have a coffee and relax your mind. Then repeat – ensuring that you still take your lunch break. This method is also good if you want to improve your time management skills and productivity.
Stay safe everyone and hopefully we will return to our normal working conditions soon. :)
Harriet Goss
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| Harriet's WFH set-up |
During these strange and uncertain times in our lives, we’re all facing a variety of challenges and difficulties whilst working from the comfort of our own homes.
Whether working, studying or simply at a loss for what to do; it’s vital to set yourself a strict schedule…and stick to it!
I know the temptation to lounge in bed until midday can be very compelling, but it’s important to set yourself a daily routine in order to stay as productive and positive as possible.
Like the rest of the world, I also find myself working from my bedroom (not bed) – which is strange and definitely a new learning curve for me. At the time I’m writing this, I’ve been “social distancing”/working from home for a mere 10 days now. Believe me when I tell you - I did not have a routine set down from day 1! This stuff takes time – so feel free to trial and error it.
Below is an example of the schedule I’ve set myself in order to keep on top of my workload. You’ll see I’ve also allocated personal time for my own well-being (be it going for a run or simply having a coffee with my family). This is important! We may be in this situation for a little while, so taking a little time for yourself is crucial.
My routine:
7.30am - Wake up and have breakfast/get ready for the day
8.30am – Turn on computer and start work for the day
9.30am – Daily team meeting/check-in Zoom call
10.30am – Tea/coffee break
12pm – Lunch break (during this time I like to go for a walk or a run and get some much-needed Vitamin D )
1pm – Work on my apprentice portfolio
2.30pm – Tea/coffee break
4.30pm – Finish work for the day
REST OF DAY – Down time, dinner and bed
Obviously, days can vary – so don’t feel like those timings are set in stone. Some days you may have a lot more down time than usual, and others you may be up to your eyeballs in emails. It’s a strange time for us all, but if you can shape your days as much as possible– soon it’ll become a routine. We all need a bit of structure at this moment in time, so why not make a conscious effort to structure your day?
Daniela Cazan
Daniela Cazan is a Digital Marketing apprentice at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Saïd Business School. We ask Daniela to answer a Q&A with us on what she has found useful working from home, over the past month. |
| Daniela's WFH set-up |
Q: How are you finding working from home?
“At first I found it hard getting into a routine and not feeling like I was glued to my work laptop. After a few weeks of trial and errors, taking breaks and switching of for the end of the day. I have slowly gotten back into a ‘normal’ routine”.
Q: Since working from home, have you found a change in your regular routine?
Q: What is the first thing you do in the morning?
"Every morning I wake up at 7/7.30am, put on a pot of coffee, and start working immediately - I only start making breakfast once I feel I need a break, that’s usually after our team coffee catch-up. I'm a morning person and find I can get a ton done in the early morning hours, so this works really well for me."
Q:Are you taking the same steps, as you would going into work?
“I’ve found that transitioning from my pillow to my desk, and dressing like I would in the office, changes my mental state like I’m going into the office.
I also structure my days as I usually would in the office, I make a conscious effort every day to schedule my work in my calendar”.
Q: Have you learnt any tips throughout your month of working from home?
“Communicate. That would be my main piece of advice to anyone! I must admit, I felt like I lost my ‘oomph’ for the first few weeks and struggled to get use to it. But after talking to my team, friends and family, I felt a lot more motivated and positive.”
“No matter what piece of advice/tips you read, it’s all a learning curve and you’re not alone. Everyone is finding their new ‘normal’, so don’t worry if you feel like you failed one day because you brain has gone to mush! You are doing the best you can, you are safe and that is all that matters!”
Stay safe everyone! 😊
- 10:37
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And the winner of the Apprentice Poster Award goes to... Taimur Hashmi
We asked Taimur a few questions about his Apprenticeship and winning this award...
1) What is your Apprenticeship?
I am currently completing a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship with the University of Oxford Temporary Staffing Service (TSS). I started my apprenticeship as an Apprentice Recruitment Administrator in October 2018 where the main part of my role was arranging registration interviews with candidates who are interested in becoming a part of the TSS candidate pool and answering any queries about the service. Alongside this, I was also in charge of updating our assignment advert cards in the office window, advertising our vacancies online, requesting candidate references, updating candidate details on our internal database and completing any other administrative tasks that may be required.
As I progressed in my role, I began to pick up other additional duties and eventually, in September 2019 I was appointed as an Internal Recruitment Consultant in the department. The focus of my role now is conducting registration interviews with applicants, acting as the first point of contact with Recruiting Managers to understand and record details of their temporary vacancies and then identifying where candidates’ skills and experience match temporary assignments in University Departments.
2) Can you describe some benefits of undertaking an Apprenticeship?
One of the most notable benefits of undertaking an apprenticeship from my perspective has been the knowledge and experience I have gained working in recruitment. As I have furthered my knowledge and experience, I have also increased in confidence which seems to be a theme with a lot of other apprentices I have spoken to. I would highly recommend apprenticeships to anyone considering them, especially at the University where the levels of support provided by the departments and the Apprenticeships team have been excellent.
3) What was your reaction to winning your award?
I was genuinely surprised. All of the poster submissions this year were very good and on a different day, under a different audience I think any of the other posters could have won. Of course I am also absolutely delighted to have won and very grateful to everyone who voted for my poster!
4) What would you recommend to anyone else considering an Apprenticeship/taking on an apprentice?
To anyone considering an apprenticeship, do it. From business administration to lab technician, there are many different types to choose from. You will gain valuable skills and experience in the workplace and it is the perfect stepping stone for your career (not to mention the apprentice wage at the university is significantly higher than the average!!).
To any line managers considering taking on an apprentice, the benefits speak for themselves. Do it.
- 11:39
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The winner of our Apprentice Ambassador award went to... Bushra Nawaz
We asked Bushra a few questions about her Apprenticeship and winning this award...
1) What is your Apprenticeship?
I have taken on a role as Apprentice Laboratory Technician where I am studying to complete a Level 3 BTEC in Applied Science. I support laboratory operations at the BioEscalator, which is an innovation hub for start-up bioscience companies.
2) Can you describe some benefits of undertaking Apprenticeship based training?
Undertaking an apprenticeship has opened doors for me in the bioscience industry, as I am able to effectively network with many groups of people and take part in exciting lab projects, all while being paid!
3) What was your reaction to winning your award?
Winning the award for Apprentice Ambassador of the Year was an amazing feeling and the apprenticeship awards are a great way to recognise people who go above and beyond for their work.
4) What would you recommend to anyone else considering an Apprenticeship/taking on an apprentice?
For people who are thinking of taking on an apprentice, I would definitely advise a can-do attitude and willingness to work. Apprenticeships are a great way to gain industry experience and gain a qualification; you will also finish with a bit of money, rather than debt.
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| Finalists for Apprentice Ambassador of the year |
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| Bushra was also shortlisted as a finalist for the Apprentice Technician of the year |
- 09:19
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The winner of our Technician Apprentice of the year award went to... Natalie Davis!!
We asked Natalie a few questions about her Apprenticeship and winning this award...
1) What is your Apprenticeship?
My apprenticeship is a Level 3 Laboratory Technician at Sir William Dunn School of Pathology. My role is varied but my day to day role includes making agar plates, making media, washing glassware, dealing with hazardous waste and carrying out mycoplasma testing. I have also been involved with helping prepare for the University's practical classes that are run for the biomedical undergraduate students. Other parts of my job include covering the reception desk and helping in stores with delivering goods to different research groups around the department.
2) Can you describe some benefits of undertaking Apprenticeship based training?
One of the main benefits of doing an apprenticeship is the on the job training and being able to go from having no experience to having a vast range of skills and knowledge in the field! In my experience I have also been lucky enough to spend time in different research areas of the department. This has included spending time in a laboratory with a researcher who guided me through my own mini project involving flies! I have also spent time using a scanning electron microscope to produce my own images in the electron microscopy facility. All of which has been really fun to be able to do.
3) What was your reaction to winning your award?
When my name was read out I was initially very shocked as I really didn't expect that I would win against the other two finalists. I am very very pleased to have won though and to have all my hard work recognised is an amazing feeling. Definitely the biggest achievement of my apprenticeship so far and am very grateful to have been nominated by my manager.
4) What would you recommend to anyone else considering an Apprenticeship/taking on an apprentice?
I would tell anyone who is considering an apprenticeship to just go for it as it allows you to develop many new skills and expand your knowledge in the field you are interested in, whilst working and earning money. All the skills learnt will also be highly valued by any future employer after your apprenticeship. Being an apprentice also allows you to take on other opportunities such as being an ambassador, which is something am very glad I took the opportunity to be apart of. For an employer I would encourage them to take on an apprentice as they will be willing to learn new skills in the job role and will also be hard working.
My apprenticeship is a Level 3 Laboratory Technician at Sir William Dunn School of Pathology. My role is varied but my day to day role includes making agar plates, making media, washing glassware, dealing with hazardous waste and carrying out mycoplasma testing. I have also been involved with helping prepare for the University's practical classes that are run for the biomedical undergraduate students. Other parts of my job include covering the reception desk and helping in stores with delivering goods to different research groups around the department.
2) Can you describe some benefits of undertaking Apprenticeship based training?
One of the main benefits of doing an apprenticeship is the on the job training and being able to go from having no experience to having a vast range of skills and knowledge in the field! In my experience I have also been lucky enough to spend time in different research areas of the department. This has included spending time in a laboratory with a researcher who guided me through my own mini project involving flies! I have also spent time using a scanning electron microscope to produce my own images in the electron microscopy facility. All of which has been really fun to be able to do.
3) What was your reaction to winning your award?
When my name was read out I was initially very shocked as I really didn't expect that I would win against the other two finalists. I am very very pleased to have won though and to have all my hard work recognised is an amazing feeling. Definitely the biggest achievement of my apprenticeship so far and am very grateful to have been nominated by my manager.
4) What would you recommend to anyone else considering an Apprenticeship/taking on an apprentice?
I would tell anyone who is considering an apprenticeship to just go for it as it allows you to develop many new skills and expand your knowledge in the field you are interested in, whilst working and earning money. All the skills learnt will also be highly valued by any future employer after your apprenticeship. Being an apprentice also allows you to take on other opportunities such as being an ambassador, which is something am very glad I took the opportunity to be apart of. For an employer I would encourage them to take on an apprentice as they will be willing to learn new skills in the job role and will also be hard working.
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| Finalists for the Apprentice Technician Award 2020 |
- 08:25
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And the winner of the 3rd year Apprentice Award goes to... Alex Knight!
We asked Alex a few questions about his Apprenticeship and winning this award...
1) What is your Apprenticeship?
I am a technician apprentice in my final year at the Oxford Physics Microstructure Detector (OPMD) Facility in the Particle Physics department in Oxford. At OPMD we build and test radiation detectors used in physics experiments such as the ATLAS experiment at the LHC in CERN.
2) Can you describe some benefits of undertaking an Apprenticeship?
This apprenticeship has allowed me to work with some extraordinary people, some of whom are truly the best in the world at what they do. For this, I am very grateful as I have learned a lot from them and made some good friends. There are many things I enjoy about this apprenticeship, from the working atmosphere created by staff and students, to the fantastic facilities we get to use. Despite being at the beginning of my career, working with people who are much further along in different career paths, I am still equally recognised and relied upon for the unique skills set I bring to the group. Having been working here for over 3 years now, I have really enjoyed watching how projects I have been heavily involved in, progress and develop. I am looking forward to seeing how they turn out.
After my apprenticeship, I intend to carry on working at OPMD and see these projects through to completion.
3) What was your reaction to winning your award?
I was quite overwhelmed winning the award this year. It was lovely to hear all of the nice things people have to say about me and how I've made a positive impact in my department.
4) What would you recommend to anyone considering an Apprenticeship?
I found it quite difficult when starting my apprenticeship because it's a big step up and change from school life. I knew very little about what OPMD did and what my role would be. Fortunately, everyone was really supportive, allowing me to settle in quickly and as time passed I grew to really enjoy my role. Therefore, my advice to someone thinking about starting an apprenticeship is to just try it, even if you are not sure or it's not exactly what you had in mind. It's likely you will be working with like minded people in a role that you will enjoy and a program that will give you many career options in the future.
- 13:38
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And the winner of the 2nd year Apprentice Award goes to... Teya Agnese
We asked Teya a few questions about her Apprenticeship and winning this award...
1) What is your Apprenticeship?
I am an Apprentice Clinical Trial Support Officer working in the Surgical Intervention Trials Unit (SITU) within the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), whilst studying a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship with Abingdon and Witney College.
2) Can you describe some benefits of undertaking an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships allow you to kick-start your dream career fresh out of school, or offers you the chance to change your career later in life whilst also earning a generous salary. Not only do you gain skills and experience within the workplace that build you up to be a confident and efficient employee, but you also gain a lot of life experience that will stay with you throughout your professions. You work closely with a brilliant team, meet a lot of friendly faces at college, through the workplace and at apprenticeship events. You have the opportunity to grow your network throughout your apprenticeship course and someone is always there to offer you support.
3) What was your reaction to winning your award?
I am overjoyed, surprised and in the moment, had a little bit of stage nerves! Nonetheless, I am extremely grateful and it was such a great feeling to be recognised for my hard work by not only my wonderfully supportive team, but also by everyone who had a say in deciding that I would be the winner for the 2nd Year Apprentice Award. Thank you!
4) What would you recommend to anyone considering an Apprenticeship?
I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to everyone looking to learn valuable skills, acquire lots of experience and knowledge by being more hands-on, without gaining any student debt. The advice I would offer when you are looking for your apprenticeship is to take your time to look for a course in an area that you enjoy, or a job that you could see yourself progressing in. There are a variety of brilliant companies and training providers that offer apprenticeships, so take your time to read the job description carefully and research the company. Once you begin your apprenticeship, you will tick off countless tasks and projects throughout the course, accomplishing numerous milestones and building your confidence in every way possible; this will be the most employable experience you can gain.
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| Finalists for 2nd year apprentice award 2020 |
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| Teya's department came to support her |
Teya has been a fantastic apprentice ambassador for the University, she comes along to every event that she is able to and always remains enthusiastic and helpful. Congratulations Teya!
Read more about Teya's reaction to this award on the SITU blog.
- 13:56
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The winner of our 1st year apprentice award went to... Daniela Cazan!
We asked Daniela a few questions about her Apprenticeship and winning this award...
1) What is your Apprenticeship?
Digital Marketing Level 3 Apprenticeship, Firebrand Training
2) Can you describe some benefits of undertaking Apprenticeship based training?
- You earn while you learn, plus being paid an Oxford Living wage!
- Personal Development alongside your apprenticeship – the University of Oxford offer mentoring, extra training courses, 1:1, shadowing and more for you to further your development. You'll have a world of options open to you!
3) What was your reaction to winning your award?
Shocked and amazed! I’m still pinching myself, wondering if it really happened!
4) What would you recommend to anyone else considering an Apprenticeship/taking on an apprentice?
If I could give one piece of advice- Don't feel discouraged if you’re not following the "crowd". I would recommend a University of Oxford apprenticeship to everyone – the qualifications, experience, network and opportunities open so many doors.
Daniela is also one of our fantastic apprentice ambassadors and attends many events to help promote the University of Oxford Apprenticeship route as well as boosting awareness of Apprenticeships in general.
To read more about Daniela's role, see her profile on our website!
Daniela volunteered to offer a bit of work experience around her marketing role. You can read about it in our blog post: 1 hour of Marketing, packed within a day of Work Experience
- 10:58
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On Wednesday 11th March, the University of Oxford Apprenticeships Team held the annual Apprenticeship Expo & Awards event at the Sheldonian Theatre.
Overview
This event is a chance to:- Recognise Apprenticeships across the University
- Celebrate those who have completed Apprenticeship based training
- Award individuals who go above and beyond in their Apprenticeships
Graduation Certificates
We believe it is important to recognise those that have finished their Apprenticeship training with the University. Although the apprentices will receive certificates for the qualifications gained with their training providers, they also gain a completion certificate from the University of Oxford.This year, we were extremely pleased to have the Vice-Chancellor, professor Louise Richardson, support our event and hand out the certificates after speaking about Apprenticeships within the University.
Awards:
This year there were 8 awards (more than ever before!), all judged by various departments and groups around the University.
- 1st year Apprentice Award - presented by Wendy Simmonds, HR manager, IT services
WINNER: Daniela Cazan - 2nd year Apprentice Award - presented by Jo Harris, Director of Finance, Saïd Business School
WINNER: Teya Agnese - 3rd year Apprentice Award - presented by Sue Morris, Senior Appointments, Central HR
WINNER: Alex Knight - Apprentice Technician Award (NEW) - presented by Prof Stuart Mackenzie, Head of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University lead on the Technician Commitment
WINNER: Natalie Davis - Apprentice Ambassador Award (NEW) - presented by Josephine Allen, POD Administrator, People and Organisational Development Team (POD)
WINNER: Bushra Nawaz - Apprentice Poster Award - presented by Melissa Duffin, Apprenticeships Admin & Events Coordinator, Apprenticeships Team
WINNER: Taimur Hashmi - Apprentice Manager Award - presented by Michelle Jones, Apprenticeships Lead, Oxfordshire County Council
WINNER: Georgia Rafferty - Training Provider Individual Award (NEW) - presented by Claire Rees, Recruitment Lead, Oxford University Press
WINNER: Gemma Burgess
Competition
This year, we launched our first ever HASHTAG (#) competition! As an example, the Apprenticeships team took a selfie on stage with the audience...
And the winner of this competition was the Enterprising Oxford Team!
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| Winning team - Social # competition |
#2020ApprenticeshipAwards
POSTERS
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| Taimur Hashmi - Winner of Apprentice Poster competition |
Expo
This year, 13 of our training providers were on hand to answer questions about their Apprenticeship opportunities. Members of staff from around the University arrived between 11-12 to find out more...
If you want to find out more about the event, or about Apprenticeships in general, please get in touch at: apprenticeships@admin.ox.ac.uk
- 10:54
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