Back in February 2020, we saw Georgia talk about the progression she’d made in less than year of being an apprentice at Direct Air, with our ‘A day in the life of… a business admin apprentice’ blog post.

Now, with a new title and over a year more of experience, let’s see how she’s finding the permanent position so far!

Georgia's working journey

In just under 2 years of joining Direct Air, Georgia has now qualified in her Level 3 Business Admin Apprenticeship. After achieving a Distinction grade on the course, Georgia’s position now stands permanent as Direct Air’s Marketing Coordinator.

What was the transition like from being an apprentice to being a permanent Direct Air employee?

Although I really enjoyed doing my apprenticeship course, I’m glad I’ve completed it as I can now channel all of my work time into focusing on progressing in my new role. This extra time has allowed space for aspects like my new upcoming responsibilities.

Developing and monitoring marketing campaigns, conducting research, analysing data and maintaining the website are just a few examples of areas I’ll be looking after. Many of these tasks involve work I’ve already been doing within my apprenticeship; except I’ll now be taking more of a leadership role in them – which I’m really excited about! Alongside these, my daily tasks such as updating databases, managing social media campaigns and monitoring performance will be carried out too.

Being newly qualified, I haven’t had chance to delve very deeply into my role yet. However, in the upcoming months and with the impacts of corona virus slowly shifting, I know I’ll get chance to properly put the skills I’ve learnt throughout my apprenticeship into place.

How was the permanent role approached?

As the completion of my course was approaching, my manager arranged a date that would be suitable for us both to have an end of apprenticeship meeting. My manager thanked me for the hard work I’d put in over the past 2 years and for helping the team, by going above and beyond to take on more responsibilities during the pandemic. I was also congratulated on getting a distinction grade in my apprenticeship, accompanied by a bottle of bubbly!

Following this, I was then offered the permanent position of Marketing Coordinator. I was really excited to find out the title I’d be presented with after qualifying and this was everything I’d hoped for.

My manager provided me with a detailed explanation of all the expectations involved in the role and how responsibilities would differ from tasks I was already doing day-to-day. She then went on to discuss the longer-term goals and levels I’d be able to work my way up to, which made me really look forward to my future at Direct Air. I was given time to go away asses the objective and pay changes of the new role but knowing I was already extremely happy with the offer, I accepted pretty instantly.

Do you feel like the apprenticeship contributed to helping you work to the best of your ability in your permanent role?

Without doing the apprenticeship, I don’t think I’d have progressed through the past 2 years of working life as effectively as I have. The course gave me a great opportunity to gradually ease into the working world and it allowed me to continue my education whilst doing so. Completing the course before moving on to my permanent position meant that I was fully prepared for the role.

I learnt how to improve and maintain my professional skills at college, whilst putting them into practice at work. Also, having the ability to earn money alongside the learning really was the best of both worlds!

Will you be continuing your education throughout your permanent position?

During my end of apprenticeship meeting, my manager discussed potential future goals for me, and although I’ve only just finished level 3, I’m really excited to begin new courses to improve further.

I will be looking into level 4 courses which are more marketing specific, in order to develop skills that will advance me in the department (after giving myself a few months to settle into my new role of course!)

What is your favourite thing about being in your new permanent role?

Despite working within the company for 2 years already, having my position made permanent gave me that official reassurance that I’m going to be a part of the Direct Air team for much longer now.

Due to the pandemic hitting, my apprenticeship took slightly longer than I had anticipated so I was overjoyed that my managers stuck by me throughout this and still offered me the permanent role.

Also, being in this position makes me feel like I’m now able to stretch my skills further across the business to help a variety of colleagues in all different departments. I’m really happy with the people I work alongside, and I can’t wait to keep building and growing my working relationships with all members of the team.