I have been a apprentice at NW5 community play project for a little bit over a year now and what I can say is that it has been a very good period of my life giving me connections and qualifications that I never would of gotten before. I have gained qualifications like food and hygiene, safeguarding, fire warden, paediatric first aid and prevent.
These qualifications that NW5 have provided me allow me to make a more impressive cv and personal statement for my future and it overall allows me to gain more knowledge in life and youth work.
Being a apprentice at NW5 has given me a better idea of future work because it has allowed me to see the joy of working in a team in a safe and fun environment that is called a youth centre/club, also the apprenticeship gave me a very easy choice after leaving secondary school. Before the offer was given to me I was confused about what I should do in the future and was stuck with the thought in my head that I would do nothing after school and that I was gonna waste yrs of my life before being able to get a job but luckily for me Sharley, the manager of NW5, who I had previously known from youth club and football for saw qualities in me and potential in for me to become a great youth worker.
She supported me doing some volunteering and training so I could work in the half terms, I was skeptical at first and questioned if I wanted to do youth work but after my first week at NW5 play project I know this could be a future job for me and luckily for me so did Sharley.
I was offered the apprenticeship after a summer of me helping out on a playscheme and I instantly knew I should take it but wasn’t sure and now after a year I have no regrets. It has been a great year for me as I have gained loads of new experiences and I would say have become a better person overall and now I’m aiming to revive my NVQ level 2 in Playwork which NW5 have organised for myself and other staff to do.
By Kian, Apprentice Project Worker.
