Rebecca started her apprenticeship in the Neighbourhoods team at the age of 26 following a seven year career within the NHS. The pandemic really shifted her way of thinking about what career she'd like to pursue. She was somewhat apprehensive about an apprenticeship but soon realised the skills she had used in healthcare were easily transferred to helping and supporting customers at Futures. Being the only apprentice within the team has made no difference to how she is treated and she continuously receives encouragement and support with her cases.
"I started the course and role on 28 April so I have spent time shadowing neighbourhood officers while undertaking ‘low level visits’ and processing admin which has gradually built up over time until now. I have frequent catch up sessions with my assessor and have to complete 20% ‘on the job training’ within a six-week period which is things like training sessions, neighbourhoods admin, meetings such as VARM’s and training sessions with my co-workers about things like injunctions, NOSP’s and NTQ’s.
At the moment I have got a couple of cases that are quite ‘heavy’ which I opened from some simple tenancy visits which I still receive support on from my team as well as managing around 65 properties.
I’ve loved having a work life balance after a total of eight years in healthcare and would love to pursue the role of a neighbourhood officer when my apprenticeship is completed in summertime this year."
