Dane’s Story

Business and Administration apprentice Dane Galliano finished high school in 2009, and initially made the decision to study sports and performance at a local college. Although he completed the course, and achieved his qualification, Dane reflects that there was little information and support available about careers. As a result, instead of finding work relevant to the sports and fitness sector, or progressing into further education, he found himself working in the retail sector. Unfortunately, he soon discovered that this wasn’t for him.

“I would quickly become bored and move onto another job,” says Dane. “There were no chances for progression and that’s why I decided I wanted to try out something else entirely.”

Keen to explore other opportunities for work, Dane researched the options available to him and discovered Hoople’s Sector Based Work Academy programme for Business and Administration. This four-week programme saw him attend Hoople’s training centre three times a week, and covered a broad range of topics associated with working in a business environment.

“I would quickly become bored and move onto another job. There were no chances for progression and that’s why I wanted to try out something else entirely.”

As a part of the programme’s employability unit, each course participant was encouraged to complete an application for an apprenticeship. Dane’s own application was one amongst several referred to Geoff Jones, the Facilities Support Manager for Herefordshire Council, who was at the time seeking a new apprentice to support his busy team. The applicants were each invited to attend a ‘trial day’ in the job, and Geoff was so impressed with Dane that he selected him to be taken on as the team’s apprentice.

Three months on, Dane is still enjoying his job with Herefordshire Council where his role sees him responsible for a broad range of administrative tasks. For instance, he typically starts his morning by sorting deliveries in the organisation’s busy post room, grouping incoming post together according to the recipient department.

At other times, he also assists in the post room by franking outgoing mail before it heads out for delivery.

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Business and Administration Apprenticeships with Hoople

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One day per week he takes responsibility for starter inductions for new Plough Lane staff, which involves, amongst other things, setting them up for online CPD training and preparing their identification badge.

With all of this in addition to providing cover for the building’s reception desk, helping the custodians with their own tasks such as setting up rooms for meetings, and a slew of other administrative tasks, Dane always has plenty to do when he comes into work each day.

As a part of his apprenticeship, Dane also spends one day per month at Hoople’s Churchill House training centre where he studies for his Functional Skills exams in English and maths. Although he says he’d be quite comfortable with classes of any size, he appreciates the one-to-one support that comes with Hoople’s small classes where students feel comfortable to participate and ask questions. He has found the Functional Skills approach to English and maths more practical than the academic approach taken by schools, and feels confident that these transferable skills will be of benefit to him in his future career.

Whilst Dane enjoyed his time at school, he admits that he didn’t always make the most of the opportunities that school offered. Now a little older, and employed as an apprentice, he’s made his own decision to continue learning. Unlike when he was at school, he says, he’s more engaged and is far keener to get something out of

the experience. “I think it’s something that comes with age,” he says. “When you feel it’s your own choice, you’re more likely to want the most out of it.”

Although he is not yet sure what he’d like to do with his future, Dane fully intends to see his apprenticeship through to the end and then see what sorts of opportunities arise. These are still early days in his apprenticeship, but he enjoys his work so far and what he’s achieved out of the programme.

Asked whether he’d recommend the apprenticeship to others, Dane says:

“If you’re coming straight out of school or college and don’t know what to do, or even if you’re just finding yourself at a loose end, I’d recommend an apprenticeship. It’s a twelve month programme so it’s a great chance for you to try out a field of work which you might be interested in, and really decide whether or not it’s for you.”

You can find more case studies like this on our website: www.hoopleltd.co.uk

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