Meet Northern Skills Recruitment Administrator, Alisha Dixon.
After leaving school, Alisha went straight onto an engineering apprenticeship, training to be an electrical engineer, but soon realised this was not the right path for her. Knowing she still wanted to stay on an apprenticeship for the hands-on learning, Alisha found a business administration apprenticeship at a primary school near her family home.
Alisha told us: “When I first applied for my business administration apprenticeship, I wasn’t sure what to expect working in a school, but I absolutely loved it. That lead me onto my first real job which was working in a private online school, mainly for SEN and additional needs students. I worked in the customer and student support team as a Personalised Learning Support Co-Ordinator, which gave me lots of administration experience as well as experience dealing with AS students, EHCP’s and much more.
“The goal for me was always to continue to work within education and when I saw my job shared on Facebook, I thought why not just go for it? Although I didn’t have experience in apprenticeships directly, I had been an apprentice twice over, I had the administration experience and could use systems. It felt like a challenging and rewarding opportunity and when I found out I got the role I was extremely happy. I always found apprenticeships so rewarding and really wanted to end up working with an apprenticeship team in some way, which led me back to Northern Skills.”
Alishia has been a part of the Northern Skills apprenticeship recruitment team for 6 months now, where she plays a vital role in shaping the future of potential apprentices, by providing them with meaningful advice throughout their apprenticeship journey.
Alisha adds: “When I started, the whole Northern Skills team were so helpful in showing me how things are done and how to use their daily systems. Within 6 month I have already gained more responsibility and I am excited to take on more the longer I am here.
“The events I get to go to during and after work are great, I get to meet new people and give advice on apprenticeships, it is amazing to feel like we can help shape someone’s career in a positive way.”
After only being at the College a short while, Alisha experienced the Northern Skills and MFC Foundation charity football match, which was a great way to bring the team together with strong community spirit.
Telling us about her highlights of the role, Alisha says: “I really enjoyed the charity football match Northern Skills organised, I quickly felt part of a team and had so much fun. That was the same for the last day of the year when we had a staff get together with the inflatables, games and more.
“At Northern Skills, you feel valued rather than just another person. Hard work does get noticed and I really enjoy the team I work in; everyone is so supportive and helpful. Plus, the College has a relaxed atmosphere which I have found is rare in most workplaces.”
Before starting her role at Northern Skills, Alisha had always wanted to complete a Business Management degree but found this too difficult as she had prior commitments. However, Alisha has recently enrolled at Middlesbrough College’s University Centre on the Foundation Business Management degree.
Alisha says: “Just recently at the start of September I enrolled at Middlesbrough College University onto the Foundation Business Management Degree which is night classes which allow me to pursue gaining the degree I want that also works around my hours and fits my lifestyle more. I didn’t know
this was an option before I came to the college, and I am excited. I have had 2 lessons so far and really am enjoying this and know the hard work will pay off in the end.”