At Mercuri International we have a passion for celebrating Apprentices. Mercuri’s Apprentice Ambassadors demonstrate many things: proactivity, resilience, strong work ethic, personal integrity and professionalism as well as attainment and commercial success. Find out about Mercuri’s Apprentice Ambassador for spring 2022 and what attributes and characteristics they have shown during their apprenticeship.
Mercuri Spring 2022 Ambassador
Meet Ash
Ash Walker is an Apprentice contract supervisor at Leicester City Council and is undertaking the Team Leader Level 3 Apprentice.
What’s the best thing about being an apprentice?
“The best thing about being an apprentice is that I get the opportunity to learn new skills and gain more knowledge of the job I am doing resulting in me progressing in my job role. I get the help that is required to help me succeed. Whilst undertaking the team leader qualification it’s allowed me to be able to pass on my knowledge to my operatives and it has given me the confidence to be able to deliver in a more controlled manner.”
How would you say apprentices help employers?
“Apprentices are almost an in-built workforce knowing that they are going to have operational experience within the organization, as well as the necessary skills and knowledge as taught within the apprenticeship itself. Apprentices are an investment for the organization, and provide careers, well paid jobs and experience for generations.”
Can you share with us your thoughts on becoming a Mercuri Ambassador?
“I feel honoured to have been asked to be an ambassador. I feel I have come along way whilst undertaking the apprenticeship and it’s nice that my hard work has paid off. I want to be an example to all out there undertaking apprenticeships that if you put your mind to it and work hard enough it doesn’t go unnoticed. I am proud of my achievements to date and I hope to carry on challenging myself and being a voice for individuals thinking of taking up an Apprenticeship.”
Why Ash?
“Ash‘s confidence and attitude to the apprenticeship has improved significantly over the past few months and he has really embraced the course. The level of work that is produced in assignments is of a good standard and Ash spends time on his learning and recognizes how important it is in supporting his role. He tells me that he uses the tools and techniques that we learn in our sessions and how he applies them with his team.”
Laura Beswick Lawrence, Learning & Development Coach, Mercuri
“This is the second apprenticeship Ash has completed with Leicester City Council, having originally completed a Level 2 Highways Maintenance apprenticeship with us. Since then he has demonstrated his commitment and willingness to learn and is now in a supervisory role, and now completing a Level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship with Mercuri. It’s very important that the council leads the way in providing opportunities like these for local people, and Ash continues to show a desire to progress and is an excellent ambassador for Leicester City Council. His attitude to learning, as well as to his work in general, is a great example of how apprenticeships can work for all parties.”
Nick Weston, Operations Manager, Leicester City Council