Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • News
  • Comment
Topics

National Apprenticeship Week - Alex Akushie

Open-access content Tuesday 4th March 2014 — updated 1.53pm, Tuesday 5th May 2020

 

4 March 2014

Apprentices who have since gone on to succeed in their chosen career are usually the best placed to articulate the value of the apprenticeship path, whatever the industry.


In facilities management, with its many routes into the profession, the experience of those who have since gone on to assume senior positions is even more valuable.

Today, those completely new to the FM industry can choose to start with an apprenticeship at level 2 and progress to a foundation degree, while learners with some previous FM experience looking to progress into senior management could choose the apprenticeship route that combines the BIFM qualifications at levels 4 and 5. But this is a relatively new route into FM-related apprenticeships.

Every day this week we will speak to a senior facilities manager about their experiences.
See more here:

Name: Alex Akushie

Job title: FM co-ordinator, The Wellcome Trust

1. How did you become an apprentice?


After secondary school I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do, so in the process of discovering what path was best suited for me, I started college doing BTEC First Diploma in IT Practitioners (equivalent to four A C GCSEs), which I completed in year one. I then went on to a BTEC National Diploma, which is a two-year course. Proceeding with this was never a course I wanted to take, and in turn my heart wasn't in it. This led to me dropping out from college and started working in retail. Moving between bar and catering jobs led me to work at the BBC within an internal catering company. After working a year there I realised I wanted to improve and progress in life, and for me to achieve this I needed to find employment that suited my needs. This is when I discovered apprenticeships and what they had to offer. It was the perfect route for me to progress through the career ladder. After two years of countless group and individual interviews, I finally caught my break and found the Wellcome Trust. I was convinced I was in the right place and wanted to progress here. Nothing else mattered, and I even took a significant pay cut just to grab the rare opportunity. It has truly paid off.

2. What was your experience?

I believe I had a bit of an advantage with regard to my experience as an apprentice. I had previously worked for four years before starting this apprenticeship, so I already had the strict work ethic and self-motivation needed in any job role. Also, within my team of 10 colleagues, five of them started through an apprenticeship scheme so they were very keen to take me under their wing and mentor me through the apprenticeship.

3. What advantages has it given you?

Being an apprentice gives you a broad knowledge and understanding of practical and theoretical practices. It allows an individual with little or no experience to familiarise themselves with what it feels like to work for at least 30 hours a week and also gives the apprentice an adequate qualification once it is completed. I've completed my level 3 apprenticeship, but it has been advised by my employer to pursue a level 4 (which my employer has fully funded) as well as sending me on numerous training courses.

4. Will today's apprentices benefit from the same circumstances?

When I started out on my apprenticeship, it wasn't fully supported by local councils or the media and there weren't many options. Today, however, social media, local councils, flyers, billboards, television and even radio stations are all behind apprenticeships and fully supporting them. Apprenticeships can help many young people find a source of employment as well as giving them a vast library to different fields to pursue a qualification.

Also filed in:
Comment
Content
Topics

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

 

Latest Jobs

Project Leader (Maternity Cover One Year Contract)

Cambridge
Circa £50,000 Pro Rata + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56378

Maintenance Supervisor

Surrey
Up to £43,000 + Excellent Package & Opportunities
Reference
56376

Regional Facilities Manager

South West England
Circa £40,000 + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56375
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

© 2022 • www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ