Solihull College & University Centre offer a number of different apprenticeship programmes across a number of sectors, including Business Administration. Local Estate Agents, D M & Co decided to make use of their local college’s apprenticeship offer by giving young people the chance to train in their workplace whilst gaining their qualification.
The company began in 2013 and not long after D M & Co decided to take on their first apprentice, Olivia Amos-Plant. Olivia completed her business administration apprenticeship making use of the partnership between the College and the Estate Agents.
Olivia had been in full-time work in the interior-design industry before deciding to make the move into estate agency. Olivia commented:
“As I had been working full-time I couldn’t afford to go back to college full-time as I had commitments, therefore an apprenticeship was the best option. I could earn and learn and get the industry experience I needed as I didn’t have experience within the industry.”
Olivia completed her apprenticeship last year and was able to see the company grow from strength to strength and was able to pass her expertise on to the company’s second apprentice, Daniel Brooks. Daniel finished school and knew that an apprenticeship was the perfect choice for him as he wanted to gain work experience and earn at the same time.
“It was good to have Olivia as a mentor as she had already completed her apprenticeship and I could draw on her knowledge. D M & Co is also a great company to work for as they have been really supportive throughout the whole programme.”
Olivia added “It’s been a really good opportunity to work for a company that is newly established so we can see how the business grows and we are able to speak directly with the company owners and they support us really well.”
Olivia concluded “I would 100% recommend the apprenticeship with the College as for me, it was the best way to learn and you quickly settle into the business.”
Both Olivia and Daniel have progressed well within the company with Olivia now being a Senior Property Consultant and Daniel a Property Consultant with both hoping to progress and grow with the company to become managers. Daniel is hoping to continue his studies on completion of his apprenticeship to complete a degree level course at Solihull College & University Centre.
D M & Co are hoping to continue their partnership with the College to employ another apprentice in the near future.
Find out more about Solihull College & University Centre’s Business courses.
