Where are they now? Sefton Apprentice Series: Georgia Moore

This week it’s National Apprenticeship Week, and this year’s theme is Skills for Life, so we’re showcasing staff who came to us as apprentices and now enjoy permanent roles with opportunities for future growth and development. Georgia Moore started her apprenticeship on the 19th of June 2017 as a Building Control Apprentice and then Building Control Trainee, and currently works for Sefton as a Building Control Officer. Georgia kindly gave us a sneak peek into her Sefton life with an interview:

What were you doing before joining Sefton Council as an Apprentice?

I was working within the hospitality industry, whilst also undertaking a college course with Hugh Baird focusing on military preparation, and then onto a sports leadership course.

Each of these weren’t in relation to Building Control, however, when working in hospitality it taught me a lot about customer service, leadership skills were learnt throughout each of these college courses and, in military preparation, how to abide by relevant code of conducts. These all helped when joining Sefton Council, as they had a lot of similarities within the role.

Overall, I was new to the industry of Building Control but I feel that all the above helped me push through and become successful in other areas when dealing with customers and working as a team.

Why did you decide to Join Sefton’s Apprenticeship scheme?

• I wanted to join as I couldn’t see myself in a career within hospitality, as it wasn’t for me anymore and I couldn’t progress any further.
• I wanted to be a part of an industry that was always on the go in terms of development.
• I mainly wanted to be a part of a team, as I have always been a team player.
• I also, wanted to gain a lot more skills and knowledge to then be able to use them within a profession that I would enjoy and that I would be able to progress in.
• I loved the idea of being able to learn whilst undertaking my job role. This is key especially when working within Building Control, as there are so many changes that occur, so I needed to be kept up to date whilst doing the job, and I felt the apprenticeship was ideal for this.
• I wanted a professional career that I would be able to stay in and progress further in the future. I knew that I had to complete the apprenticeship and that there could be room for progression if there were any permanent jobs going, so I wanted to take the risk to see where I got to. I figured the apprenticeship offered me this, as a lot of jobs today want a lot more experience within the field, but this apprenticeship allowed me to gain it along the way! This is perfect for anyone wanting to work their way up.

If you didn’t take the Apprenticeship route what would you be doing instead?

Honestly, I don’t know… I may have been in hospitality still, trying to get somewhere, or my other passion was working within the military or within some form of public service, like the police or the fire brigade.

Overall, I don’t feel I have made a mistake in what I am doing, I feel this was the path I was always meant to be on, and I must be doing something right as I have worked my way up from Apprentice to trainee and now, a Building Control Officer. This was all whilst undertaking a degree, which was provided by the government/ LABC and should be completed in June 2023.

What did you gain from your Apprenticeship and what did you enjoy?

I gained a lot from my apprenticeship! I met a lot of people along the way, I have been able to expand on a lot of my skills and knowledge within Sefton Council when dealing with customers, working with the team and many other departments, whilst also completing and receiving many more qualifications.

I have also, most importantly, been offered a chance after completing my apprenticeship to receive a permanent position within Sefton council. Here, I can progress further and continue with my studies as a Building Control officer, walking away with a bachelor’s of honours in Building control surveying.

Are you undertaking a further Apprenticeship qualification alongside your job role or are you thinking you may in the future?

I am currently undertaking a degree apprenticeship which is being run by the LABC/ government/Wolverhampton university, which is being paid for by the government/Sefton. This is to get new bodies into the industry which will become fully competent within the building control sector, to then be able to keep the service up and running. I have now been on this for 4 years whilst also working for Sefton full time.

The qualification is classed as a full-time degree, but we can undertake this remotely. How it works is that we have uni days every Friday, which involves lectures all day, and we have intensive weeks which are spaced out throughout the year, where I have to go down to either Wolverhampton or the Telford campus and study all week in lectures. We must submit assignments, and then at the end we must undertake our dissertation and do an EPA (end point assessment), which is where we are put up in front of professional bodies i.e. (CABE, CIOB, RICS) to show that we are competent within our job role. So, we not only achieve our degree but we also gain professional chartership at the end of it all.

How do you see your Job/Career pathway evolving in the future and what are your aspirations?

Right now, I am where I want to be. I have almost completed my degree come June 2023. I will then become a fully qualified Building Control officer. I am no longer a trainee, I have managed to work my way up through the ranks. My next aspiration would be to carry on going further to eventually becoming senior to then team leader, and then onto manager, hopefully one day in the future.

Overall, my career with Sefton council has been brilliant! I have done what I wanted to achieve so far and this all wouldn’t have happened if this apprenticeship program wasn’t running, so thank you.

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What do you think are the benefits of being an Apprentice for Sefton Council:

• The benefit would be that you are able to learn whilst on the job.
• You have a lot of people on hand that are always willing to help you achieve what you want, as they want the best for the team also. They don’t want to waste their time training you, for you not to succeed.
• You get to gain even more qualifications whilst working, which is brilliant, as you can use them if you wish to go elsewhere. If there are no permanent positions after you have completed the apprenticeship you have them behind you.
• Lastly, there is the option of being able to gain a permanent position, if there is one available, which is brilliant, as it pushes apprentices to want to succeed and be better.

Anything else you would like to add?

Overall, I would just like to say thank you for having the apprenticeship program at Sefton Council, because if you never had one, I would never be where I am at today.

The apprenticeship program has quite literally kick started my career within Building control! Not only the program, but also the people behind the scenes, have always been willing to help and to push you to were you need to be, which I think is brilliant, as it allows you to start believing in yourself a lot more.

So, thank you ??

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Throughout her time as an apprentice, Georgia achieved multiple qualifications including:

·??????Level 1 I.C.T

·??????Level 2 I.C.T

·??????Level 2 Math’s

·??????Level 2 Diploma in Business Administration

·??????Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration?