APPRENTICES have taken up a challenge to make a positive difference in the company that administers student loans.
The cohort of seven Level 3 business and administration apprentices are studying at Darlington College in partnership with the Student Loans Company (SLC).
Central to their 18-month course is a project they must begin this year and implement and complete at the SLC. It must make real change to a process used by colleagues on a daily basis, with a savings value in time, money or another resource.
The apprentices began the project by delivering their inaugural presentation to senior managers and leaders at the Lingfield Point site in Darlington, seeking their support and offering their services to solve real life challenges in the business.
The apprentices are Kathryn Croft, from Butterknowle; Megan O’Reilly, who moved to Darlington from South Wales three years ago; Joseph Brown, of Gainford; and Grace Mitchell, Sajida Begum, Alex Crompton and Linda Dobinson, all from Darlington.
Linda has worked at SLC for 13 years after a career as an NHS nurse. “I love my job in internal and external complaints and was encouraged to do the level 3 course so I could pass on what I learn to my peers,” she said. Appealing to the managers on behalf of her fellow apprentices she said: “Please give us the opportunity to take a project, run with it, drive it and take ownership of it.”
SLC executive director of operations Jackie Currie said: “This project is a really great way for apprentices to put into practice what they are learning at Darlington College as well as developing their knowledge of SLC. I look forward to seeing what creative ideas they come up that will make a positive difference to our work of supporting the nation’s students.”
Darlington College apprentice assessor Anji Grey said: “They worked really hard on the presentation as a team. It’s a really successful apprenticeship and we’re looking forward to seeing the projects they develop.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.