National Apprenticeship Week 2023

Searcys Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week (6-12 February 2023)

‘Skills for Life is the theme of our National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place on 6th-12th February. The occasion brings together the entire Searcys apprenticeship community to celebrate everything that is amazing about apprenticeships.

“Our apprenticeship brochure offers 44 courses for you to choose from, from hospitality and customer service courses, culinary, IT, marketing, HR to certified MBA qualifications. … and you do not need to worry about the cost, we will cover it for you! Head to Ibelong App or to our SharePoint to explore Apprenticeship opportunities or contact our People Team via HRSupport@searcys.co.uk for further details. We want to invest in you!”

At Searcys, we offer over 44 apprenticeships, from front-of-house, IT, and culinary to accounting, marketing, and even MBAs.

We have spoken to Barbara Gomez who joined Searcys Finance Apprenticeship last year.

•       Tell us about yourself, what you do?

I am the Office Administrator of St Pancras by Searcys. 

I started working at Searcys in August 2017, as a receptionist at St Pancras. After that, I was transferred to DLA Piper and then the Gherkin with some more administrative tasks, and finally, back to St Pancras working in finance since 2021.

•       What Apprenticeship have you chosen?

CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants). It is a qualification you can get to become a management accountant and assist the business with financial decisions.

•       How will it/has it helped in your career?

I had previously studied Business Administration and Management. The CIMA will help me to develop and amplify knowledge and accountancy skills and to have a better understanding of finance which will help me to build a career within this field.

•       Would you recommend taking an apprenticeship and why?

Yes, definitely. I think it gives you the opportunity to grow professionally. You are provided with the materials to study, and I’ve gained some really useful experience. Also, it helps you to develop your skills and behaviours and build relationships to prepare you for the world of work.

We’ve also caught up with Dean Wright, who is doing a culinary apprenticeship.

o Tell us about yourself, what do you do? 

I’m Dean, and I’m a commis chef a Searcys corporate site. I’ve just started my chef journey. I’m grateful to get this opportunity at this stage in my life to help me transition into a career that I’m happy about.

o What Apprenticeship have you chosen? And what does this entail? 

The Apprenticeship that I’ve chosen to do is the Chef’s Academy commis chef apprenticeship. It consists of full-day masterclasses and online workshops, knowledge videos, site visits, and a supportive community to grow my skills.

o How will it/has it helped in your career? 

For me, as someone new to hospitality, it has been a great help to get this sort of training and knowledge at the beginning of the journey to my chef career. I couldn’t ask for a better start.

o Would you recommend taking an apprenticeship and why?

I would highly recommend taking an apprenticeship. No matter what stage of your career you’re at, I feel like an apprenticeship will always help better your skills and knowledge and help create the mindset to be successful in hospitality.

I hope you have a fantastic weekend if I don’t speak to you later!

To find your apprenticeship, please drop us a note at ibelong@searcys.co.uk. And, the best thing is, you do not need to worry about the cost, we will cover it for you! Head to Ibelong App or to our SharePoint to explore Apprenticeship opportunities or contact our People Team via HRSupport@searcys.co.uk for further details.