Business and Administration Apprenticeship

Steph Ould, from St Austell, has recently completed a Business and Administration Apprenticeship Level 2 working as a Talent and Development Apprentice within the Talent Strategy Team at Cornwall Council. Steph was shortlisted for The Excellence in Business training Awards 2017, hosted by CCB, as Apprentice of the Year (19+ years old), she came runner up in an impressive category.

Steph is a 22 year old, mother of two who studied locally at Poltair School and Cornwall College St Austell before having children and deciding that university wasn’t for her due to family commitments. Studying for an apprenticeship was the way that Steph decided she could still get a recognised qualification and spend time with her family.

Currently Steph is studying for her Level 3 Business and Administration Apprenticeship, having completed her Level 2 which she started in 2015. Woking at Cornwall Council was the first job that Steph has had and she quickly established herself as a key member of the team.  

Today Steph supports the team to deliver the Council’s apprentice programmes, sending emails to managers and apprentices, maintaining databases. As an apprentice she adds another dimension to the role, being able to answer questions from other apprentices and signposting them to the right support. Steph also acts as an advocate for apprenticeships, attending open days and sharing experience. 

Steph explains; “Working for the Council is great, I like it here, my team and my job. I feel proud every day when putting on my Cornwall Council lanyard!”

Steph juggles family life, being a Brownie Leader and an active member of the Muscular Dystrophy Charity alongside work. Steph is enthusiastic; her passion and dedication always shines through, this is evident from the extra training courses she has completed at college whilst studying for her apprenticeship. 

“I have gained a level 2 functional skill in ICT and through the Councils Learning & Development Team; I have learned to use Microsoft Excel, Word & Outlook to a higher level.”

Already planning her next steps, Steph hopes to progress onto a Level 3 Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development qualification. 

Elizabeth Symons, Steph’s Line Manager, commented; “Steph is very much focussed on making a future for herself. At the beginning of the course, she drew herself a project plan, scheduling all the dates and the modules and giving herself a target for completion.”

Despite the pressures of life outside of work, Steph’s commitment is evident, she has grown and developed over the last 9 months and has acquired a number of transferable skills within one of Cornwall’s largest employers.

We have over 100 apprenticeships available.