20 year old Amy is 7 months into the first year of the Management Apprenticeship Scheme. She’s a few months ahead of schedule and is expecting to achieve her Year 1 sign-off shortly. Amy currently works in Keyline Hayes.
“After leaving college, I was interested in doing a Management Apprenticeship but didn’t have a particular firm in mind. I found out about the Travis Perkins Management Apprenticeship scheme online and, although I didn’t know much about the company, I was impressed by what the scheme had to offer.
I was invited to an interview at Keyline Hayes and shown around the regional offices at Reading. I was delighted to be offered a place on the scheme and began my Apprenticeship at Hayes, where I initially worked in the yard. Things started quickly – I gained my Forklift Truck licence on day 5! – and they haven’t slowed down since.
The great thing about the Management Apprenticeship scheme is the sheer breadth of opportunity. There are 17 brands in the Travis Perkins Group, with sites all over the UK so you can literally take your career anywhere. Just 7 months into my Apprenticeship, I’ve already visited branches of CCF, Travis Perkins and BSS. In Year 2, I’ll get the chance to work for another TP Group brand for 6 weeks and I’m hoping to be placed within a Wickes store.
My biggest achievement so far has been growing Tool Hire sales at Hayes. Since I took responsibility for this, we’ve had 2 record months. I worked with Marketing to put a new sales and business plan in place, created stronger links between the Builders’ Merchant and Tool Hire sides of the business and got heavily involved in sales. We’re now on track for a third record month in a row.
My achievements with Tool Hire have led to my Branch Manager giving me lots of other responsibilities. From getting the yard lighting and potholes sorted out at Hayes to helping out on the admin side at other branches, I’ve always risen to the challenge – and loved every minute of it!
Each day of my Apprenticeship is different. It’s incredibly hard work and very intense at times, but always exciting and rewarding. I’ve gained a huge store of product and operational knowledge, developed the ability to communicate with people at all levels and grown hugely in confidence and self-awareness. To succeed as an apprentice, you’ll need to be proactive, driven and willing to learn, but you’ll get some amazing opportunities in return.
When I’ve completed the scheme, I’d like to stay on at Keyline as an Assistant Branch Manager and keep developing my career within the Travis Perkins Group.”
