This section features case studies of Real people who have made a Real Start into the world of work at North Yorkshire County Council, whether it’s been through work experience or through the Apprenticeship programme.

This page will help you to find out information about the opportunities available from people who have done them.

Jessica Calles - Apprenticeship in Business Administration with the Learning and Development Unit, Chief Executives Directorate, County Hall, Northallerton.

18 year old Jessica Calles from Bedale, started her Real Start Apprenticeship in Business Administration with North Yorkshire County Council in March 2006 after successfully completing her GCSE’s. Being born and raised in Spain Jessica has had a lot of adjusting to do to become accustomed to the British way of life, including work.

We asked Jessica a range of questions about what her main responsibilities are and what she hopes to do when she has completed her Apprenticeship, here is what she had to say:

What attracted you to North Yorkshire County Council and a career in local government?

It was the great opportunities I knew that I would be able to access at NYCC such as learning, equal opportunities and fairness that triggered my interest in the Apprentice programme. As a young person who has completed their GCSE’s I thought my options were quite limited and I had always thought about completing college or getting a job but the Council offered something better; an apprenticeship where I could achieve a qualification and get the desired working experience that most employers ask for and get paid – all at the same time!

Tell us more about your Apprenticeship

I began my apprenticeship on a definite high, taking part in a week-long group induction with other apprentices who had recently started the programme. The induction included first aid training, fire training, equalities training and a whole lot more - including a great team building fun day out! After the induction week the real challenge began, I was introduced to the team that I would work in and straight away got down to learning about my role. Since starting the apprenticeship I have developed within the role and am looking forward to more challenges being thrown at me. Through the apprenticeship I am working towards a Business Administration NVQ and Key skills, it’s great because I balance the tasks I need to do for my job and get time allocated to complete the work for the NVQ. It is hard work, but it is all worth it!

What are your main responsibilities?

I and two other members of the administration team take care of organising training for the large number of NYCC staff working throughout the whole of North Yorkshire. We take care of organising training from the moment it’s requested until the point when an employee completes their course. I am required to use and update our main database, book rooms for our training facilities and liaise with customers for needs which range from providing information on course dates to sourcing training or taking them through the processes of e-learning. We are constantly evaluating our many different learning provisions and always trying to improve. I also look after the Bedale facilities and liaise with trainers and staff to organise and set up their training. One of the things that I love about the Apprenticeship programme is that I never have a dull day – there’s so much going on!

What do you hope to do after you have completed your Apprenticeship?

I am not too sure about this yet, the Apprenticeship Scheme has enabled me to develop an interest in local government and I have had my eyes opened to the range of opportunities that are available. I plan to work hard to achieve the Level 2 NVQ and hopefully progress on to further training. I would like to continue in my current role and develop my skills further, ideally I would like to reach a level that would allow me to move to a higher position within the Learning and Development department where I can take on more responsibility.

Would you recommend the Apprenticeship programme to other young people?

YES, I would say if you are looking for that essential experience but also need to achieve a well recognised qualification in a supportive and productive work environment, then definitely go for it.