What's in it for me? Jami-Lea's Apprenticeship story

3 minute read

  • Skills
  • Training

Rank: Lance Bombardier

Role: Signals JNCO

Corps: Royal Artillery

Place: Wiltshire

Which apprenticeship are you currently doing / have you done?

I completed a Level 3 Digital Support Technician apprenticeship.

Can you tell us about the skills, knowledge and experiences that you got by doing your apprenticeship?

During my apprenticeship I have gained understanding about Cloud computing and how it's a way of using computer services over the Internet, which providers users access to the Cloud and its services such as Gmail, Office 365 and even Instagram. I also learnt Customer relationship management, which focuses on the interaction between the current potential customers, Cyber Security - to fully understand how to keep information safe and how to potentially fix any risks with cyber security measures, Customer service and data fundamentals.

This has helped me progress my understanding more within the Signals department and how my role is important in ensuring the security of important digital data and the proper storage of the equipment we use on a day-to-day basis. I have used the experience I have gained on my apprenticeship when conducting a Battery training week, not only using my gained knowledge working in my trade but making sure that other Service Personnel understand the risk and security of our important equipment and why things need to be taken care of and looked after correctly.

I have also proven to myself that I can not only complete my apprenticeship on time but pass with a merit while having to go through major surgery for the birth of my daughter. The need to be able to revise while balancing time between working towards my EPA and spending time with my newborn daughter was challenging at first however it has made me believe in myself more and taught me to trust myself more as I knew the knowledge needed for my EPA through late nights of revision and hard work.

What was the highlight of your apprenticeship experience?

The highlight of my apprenticeship experience was when I found out that I had received an overall merit for my EPA. I had worked incredibly hard to complete the tasks I had to do, send my Project report and my PowerPoint presentation what was due on 28th October, only 2 days before my C-Section on the 30th October, where we welcomed our beautiful daughter into the world. My EPA was the 12th December just over a month after giving birth, I was still hurting from the surgery and adjusting to having a newborn, it was a nervous experience making sure I woke up early to get the last bit of revision in, but also rewarding knowing I had finally completed my apprenticeship after working so hard towards it in the previous months and also while on maternity leave.

It will help me look into certain job roles to challenge my newly learnt skills from the apprentice and further better myself by pushing my limits in what I can do, it would be a great experience putting into practice what I have learnt.

Female solider in camo looking at the camera and smiling

Regardless of the situation you are in, you can put your mind to it, you can pass and enjoy the experience. It is hard but not impossible, which I have learnt while completing my apprenticeship while being pregnant then on maternity leave.

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The Royal Artillery

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