Mintie Stories - Collett Masemola

You may remember a 2015 comedy entitled ‘The Intern’. The movie featured a 70-year-old retiree (played by Robert De Niro) who becomes an intern at a Brooklyn-based e-commerce fashion business.

While the idea of an elderly person starting as an intern, or an apprentice, may sound comical, it is not necessarily far-fetched. There is really no age limit. Apprenticeships, in particular, are a training opportunity for people of all ages and aren't just for school leavers.

You are never too old to gain a qualification. Whether you're brand new to a company, or have been there for a while - an employer can help you build your skills with an apprenticeship. In fact, according to a new survey carried out on 500 major English companies, employers were asked to rate the employability of various different qualifications. Apprentices were ranked most desirable at 15%, which scored higher than any of the other applicants in the survey.

And the best part? You don’t have to sit in front of a dozen textbooks for hours on end! With an apprenticeship, you will be learning on the job, doing different things every day, and challenging yourself in new ways.

Apprenticeship in Action

Meet Mint’s D365 Functional Consultant, Collett Masemola. With almost 15 years’ service under her belt, Collett is not a newcomer to the world of Mint, but that didn’t stop her from trying something new. ?

Collett was introduced to the idea of apprenticeship by Mint’s Head of People, Lauren Clark.

Starting as a member on the Dynamics 365 Customer Service team, Collett has pivoted her skills during her career to become a valuable D365 Functional Consultant. She describes her apprenticeship journey, “I am truly grateful for this opportunity, I have gained more knowledge and skills in Dynamics 365. I am continuously learning and growing in my role.” ?

Collett understands that true growth only happens when we step outside our comfort zone, she has embraced that concept by taking on the fearful challenge of working alone on certain projects. Luckily, her learning and experience have boosted her confidence and the daunting prospect of going it alone has not deterred her from successfully completing these projects. ????

Let’s Hear from Collett

What has been your biggest achievement in your Mint journey??????????????

Knowing that I have contributed to the success of the company, especially when we win Microsoft Awards.

Which of the Mint values do you most resonate with and why?

People - we place people at the center of everything we do. Teamwork, recognition, and the support we get across the company speaks volumes about who we are as a company. ????

What advice would you have given yourself on day one of your Mint journey??

To not be too hard on myself.????

What does your life look like outside of work???

I’ve just got married, so life is very interesting at the moment. We are in the process of building a house for the kids at home in Limpopo. I love spending time with my family and also enjoy watching soccer on weekends.

Home, office or hybrid? Why???

I choose home because I am more productive at home and don't waste time sitting in traffic.

Tried and tested

Apprenticeship has its roots way back in ancient civilizations such as Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as in Asia. However, it experienced a steep decline in the wake of industrialization.

Fortunately, the great advantage of apprenticeship as an instructional device has seen a renewed interest in these work-based programs, allowing people to earn a wage and gain an industry-recognized qualification at the same time. Tying learning to real-world applications, apprenticeships provide the perfect environment to impart valuable skills, hands-on experience, and improved career pathways.

Collett continues to set herself new goals. Right now, she is working on finalizing the model-driven app for one of Mint’s larger clients. Collett is just one of our Minties who believe that learning does not have to be limited to a classroom.?