James Crombleholme is carving himself out a career in politics thanks to the skills he gained through his Apprenticeship.
James completed his Level 3 Management and Business Administration whilst working as a senior case worker with MP for Liverpool Wavertree, Luciana Berger.
He said: “I’d just finished my courses at Sixth Form college and I decided not go down the University route straight away.
“I managed to find an Apprenticeship opportunity, advertised through Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, at Luciana Berger’s MP office. I had been interested in politics for quite a while and studied it at A Level.
Whilst working with Luciana Berger, James undertook an Apprenticeship which he says has given him valuable and transferable skills for the future.
He said: “The qualifications gave me a wide variety of skills including the ability to organise and apply different management techniques. It has also given me the ability to engage more confidently with senior stakeholders which is helpful for me in my current role.”.
He continued: “I know that University is very valuable but I also feel that Apprenticeships are. If you take the time to investigate what opportunities are available to you and decide what career path you want to study then Apprenticeships can get you into that just as well as University can.”
James’ Apprenticeship has certainly paid off and he has continued to work within local government.
James added: “Doing an Apprenticeship allowed me to progress in Luciana’s office and I am now a Communications Assistant in the Metro Mayor’s office.
“In Luciana’s office I was head case worker, I’d be dealing with Members of the public and issues they wanted to take to their MP.
“I still deal with the public but now I’m responsible for stakeholder engagement, meeting businesses and third sector and community orientated groups with the Mayor and getting out in to the community.”
Overall, James’ experience of completing an Apprenticeship has been positive including his interaction with his trainers.
He said: “Everyone I came into contact with at the Chamber was really helpful, especially Sue Moister who was always on hand to give me advice. I feel that you develop a real personal relationship with your assessor, not just a professional one.”
As a result of his Apprenticeship, James feels that he has been able to gain the qualifications and experience he needs to progress in his career.
He said: “I would recommend doing an Apprenticeship if you think you could progress better through that route than through University. I’ll always value the Apprenticeship that I did, it has prepared me for working life and has been really helpful.
“The sky is the limit to anyone who wants to pursue a career through an Apprenticeship.”
Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce and St Helens Chamber are working together to deliver Apprenticeships across the Liverpool City Region.
As a result of this partnership, St Helens Chamber is delivering a wide range of Apprenticeships.
For more information about the Apprenticeships available from St Helens Chamber please call Starting Point on 01744 698800 or email apprenticeships@sthelenschamber.com
