Kayleigh engineers her way to victory!
Its National Apprenticeship Week and Walford and North Shropshire College (WNSC) are marking the occasion by showcasing its ‘Star Apprentices’ from across the region.
Kayleigh Fisher – at Lister Road Garage, Dudley
Its National Apprenticeship Week and Walford and North Shropshire College (WNSC) are marking the occasion by showcasing its ‘Star Apprentices’ from across the region.
One such apprentice is Kayleigh Fisher aged 27 from Dudley who is currently working towards her Level 3 Agricultural Engineering Apprenticeship at Lister Road Garage, Dudley.
When Kayleigh first started her apprenticeship, she had not worked in the industry before and had no prior experience, so found the apprenticeship a steep learning curve. She comments, ‘Even though I am half way through the Level 3, I am still learning new things every day. As my apprenticeship has progressed I have undertook more diagnostic work.’
Kayleigh’s duties include; servicing and maintaining a fleet of horticultural machinery including; ride on mowers, trailed gang units, pedestrian machinery, brush cutters, chainsaws and hedge cutters etc. Kayleigh appreciates the value of work-based learning and says, ‘I personally think that the main benefit is actually being in the workplace as opposed to being in the classroom. You put the skills you are learning in to practice and have to deal with the pressures of a real working environment. For example if a ride on mower has broken down and is blocking a road, you need to get that mower moving quickly using your skills and experience and those are kind of situations that can’t be replicated in the classroom.’
Jim Gardiner is Kayleigh’s assessor and has nominated her for Star Apprentice. Jim says, ‘Since I have known Kayleigh I have found her to be a conscientious student with a genuine willingness to learn. She takes on practical tasks in a methodical manner paying particular attention to detail. In my opinion Kayleigh gets on very well with her work colleagues and in turn they give her their full support as she works towards her qualification.’ Kayleigh in turn says of her assessor, ‘He is always on hand to help with anything regarding college coursework and goes out of his way to help us through the course.’
Agricultural Engineering Apprenticeships are available at both Level 2 and 3. Small businesses can access a £1500 grant via the College for taking on an apprentice for the duration of their study.
If you are an employer who could offer an apprentice a job, or if you would like to apply for an apprenticeship, you can find out more by contacting Lucy Bowen, Work-based Learning Co-ordinator on 01691 688038 or email l.bowen@wnsc.ac.uk More information is available via the website at www.wnsc.ac.uk
