By Isle of Wight Observer
When looking for an apprentice, Visit Isle of Wight hit the jackpot with 17 year old Chloe Williams.
Now, Chloe has been chosen to be one of the new faces of apprenticeships on the Isle of Wight, starring in a short film about her experiences with the Island’s destination management organisation.
The video, commissioned by apprenticeship industry leaders HTP Apprenticeship College, features Chloe – who is undertaking a Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard – talking about the many benefits of being an apprentice and what she has learned.
In December last year, Chloe was chosen to represent Visit Isle of Wight at the Beautiful South Awards ceremony, when the Island’s visitor information centre – where Chloe spends some time each week – was shortlisted for an award.
It’s just one of many occasions that the previously timid young apprentice has demonstrated how much she has developed in just under a year.
Chloe says: ‘It’s [the apprenticeship] given me a lot more confidence to talk to people. Before I was a really shy person. I didn’t like to talk to people, but now I’m out there.
I would definitely recommend it to my friends. I’m 17, I’m really proud and I feel like I’m ahead of the game already.’
Nicola Rogers, Visitor Travel Project Manager at Visit Isle of Wight, is Chloe’s line manager:
‘Chloe’s definitely developed over the time she’s been with us. She started off as a trainee and ever since she’s got more confident, we’ve really seen her flourish. She’s taking ownership of projects and she’s doing really well.
‘It’s been a brilliant scheme for us, it’s given us the chance to work with young people, to train them up and see them flourish.’
HTP, leaders in the field of apprenticeships, chose Chloe to feature in the video because of the hard work and determination she has shown.
Simon Attrill, of HTP said, “Chloe contacted HTP as she was looking for a career in the travel industry. She started a Traineeship programme with Visit Isle of Wight as her work experience placement. During this programme she successfully passed her Functional Skills qualifications in Maths and English.
Chloe quickly showed her potential and Visit IOW were keen to offer her an apprenticeship. The key to the success for any apprenticeship is to develop a strong three way partnership between the training provider, the employer who provides the guidance and support to the apprentice, and of course the apprentice themselves – it is their qualification and they must take ownership of their own development by showing real commitment to their job and studies. ”
Isle of Wight Observer