A Lichfield-based HR business owner was so inspired by a new apprentice’s progress that she decided to enhance her own skills with a high-level apprenticeship.
Jane Galvez of Ripple HR has started a Level 7 Apprenticeship in MBA Leadership after seeing how much employee Karen Dungey benefitted from the learn-while-you-earn approach.
Karen’s recruitment and training was supported by a grant from the Staffordshire Means Back to Business scheme. She has now gone on to land the role of HR Manager at the firm.
Jane, above, who studies her apprenticeship through Keele University, said: “When you watch someone develop as Karen has, you can’t fail to be inspired.
“Her confidence and skill base has come on extremely well. She’s an incredible asset to our team and is now a HR Manager.
“Thanks to Karen, my own apprenticeship is helping me to drive real innovation in our sector, which will make us very unique in the HR consultancy market.”
As a more mature apprentice, Karen was keen to bust the myth that apprenticeships are just for young people and only for people in the trades.
Karen, pictured above, added: “Apprenticeships are for everyone, of every age and there’s an incredible variety of opportunities available.
“For me it was a great way to pivot my career. After 20 years of helping other people to find their perfect job, the apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to do that for myself; going into HR, bringing my career development skills and experience with me.”
Over £4.2m has been invested through the Staffordshire Means Back to Business scheme – a partnership between Staffordshire County Council and Staffordshire’s district and borough councils – that has supported almost 500 new apprentices into training and work.
Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills, Philip White said: “Karen and Jane are great examples of how apprenticeships can be inspirational for both apprentice and employer. It’s all part of creating the conditions for a vibrant and strong local economy.”
Details of hundreds of Staffordshire-based apprenticeship vacancies are available on the new Staffordshire Jobs and Careers website at https://bit.ly/ApprenticeshipsInStaffs
