Apprentice Clinical Trial Support Officer

1. Which Apprenticeship are you currently completing/have you completed?

I work in the Surgical Intervention Trials Unit (SITU) at the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) and whilst working here, I have completed my Level 2 Business Administration Apprenticeship and I am currently completing my Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship, both with Abingdon and Witney College.

2. Did you go straight into your Apprenticeship from school?

After finishing my GCSE’s, I thought that the best route was to go to sixth form but after a short period of time I realised that this wasn’t the route for me. Subsequently, I was unsure of the path I wanted to take and decided to look at what different types of apprenticeships there were available. Since I was 16 years old, I have progressed in my career via the apprenticeship route.

3. Why did you choose to do an Apprenticeship?

I chose to undertake an apprenticeship as I always preferred working and being able to earn a wage compared to being in a classroom environment. In my part-time job during the school summer holidays and my time at sixth form, I realised that I was a more hands on type of learner and enjoyed this style of learning over school. This is where I discovered that apprenticeships were the route for me!

4. How did you find out about your Apprenticeship?

I found my apprenticeship through GOV.uk, but also did a lot of searching on Indeed and Institute for Apprenticeships to see the different types of apprenticeships that were available.

5. What have you gained from your Apprenticeship – skills, experience etc.?

Before I became an apprentice at the University of Oxford I was quite shy, but my apprenticeship has proved me wrong! It has increased my confidence and assisted my ability to network effectively. It’s given me the opportunity to meet my wonderful team, including other apprentices, which has been my favourite part about being an apprentice so far. I have also gained a vast amount of experience within the Clinical Trials world, and my job role has taught me how to efficiently assist a trial. I’ve learnt how to do many useful administrative tasks and transferable skills such as: telephone calls, emailing, face-to-face communication, Microsoft Office and ordering supplies as well as learning to support the Trial Managers with their trials.

My apprenticeship also introduced me to Oxfordshire Youth, where I now volunteer on their Youth Awards Committee helping them organise an awards ceremony to help raise awareness of Oxfordshire’s talented young people. This role has massively improved my skills in advertising/ marketing and event management.

6. What has been your proudest moment so far from doing your Apprenticeship?

One of my proudest moments of my apprenticeship so far has been when I was invited to attend an apprentice trip to Brussels, organised by Judith Bunting. I was 1 in 45 apprentices selected across South East England where we learnt about the different opportunities available for apprentices abroad (like the Erasmus+ Programme) and about life as an MEP.

7. What do you plan to do next?

I would love to stay in the department I am currently in. I really enjoy my job so I would love to continue to learn, grow and develop my skills within this area by completing a higher level apprenticeship.

8. How will your Apprenticeship help you to achieve this?

The experience and skills I have gained from my apprenticeship will help me expand my knowledge and guide me when stepping up to the next level in my apprenticeship.

9. What advice would you give a young person who might be thinking about an Apprenticeship?

Take every opportunity that you are given. Whether this be additional training courses led by your department (or through your apprenticeship provider), events being held, apprenticeship ambassador opportunities or additional tasks within your job role, all of the experience and skills and knowledge that you can gain throughout your apprenticeship will help you through the duration of your course and will also help you once you have finished your apprenticeship.

10. What advice would you give an employer who is considering employing an Apprentice?

Apprentices are people who are willing to learn, develop themselves and build a career. Hiring an apprentice is a great opportunity for you as an employer - and for the apprentice - to learn and experience something new.

Teya recently won the 'Intermediate Apprentice of the Year' Award and the 'Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year' Award at the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards! Read more about this over on our blog. Here is Teya's reaction to winning these fantastic awards...

I felt over the moon to have won the Intermediate Apprentice of the Year, so when I kept watching and High Spec Composites announced at the end of the broadcast that I had also won Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year too I was speechless… and (as my family and I were watching the broadcast of the awards ceremony in the kitchen) I leaped off of my chair and did a little celebratory dance with them. I feel so honoured to have made it this far in my apprenticeship, and I am truly grateful to have such a supportive team by my side.