Charlotte is five months into a two year apprenticeship with us, generously funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Find out why she decided to apply for an apprenticeship, what she loves about working for Poole Museum, and how she balances her workload with her college course.
Why did you decide to start an apprenticeship?
I chose an apprenticeship because it offers the perfect opportunity to gain hands-on experience, while learning new skills at the same time. It allows me to have a great balance between work and study, and is the perfect way to apply what I learn in college directly to work scenarios.
Why Poole Museum / BCP Council?
BCP Council have a strong reputation for supporting their staff and offering an amazing range of learning opportunities. I have heard great reviews of being an apprentice within BCP, so the chance to work within this dynamic and encouraging environment was very appealing to me. Poole Museum is currently undergoing a huge redevelopment, which really stood out to me! It is an exciting time to be part of the team, with lots to work towards, and lots of opportunities to learn new skills along the way!
What do you like about working for Poole Museum
Working at Poole Museum is great because there is a large variety of tasks that I get to work on, and there is so much to look forward to in the future. The team are extremely welcoming and supportive - their passion for what they do is contagious!
What’s been your favourite job so far?
My favourite job so far was working on a visit from the Association of Group Travel Organisers. From initial meetings, to liaising with the team and producing material collateral - it was interesting to see the project come together from all angles and to play a part in the final event. It gave me a great insight into the amount of planning that goes into each event at the Museum.
How do you balance your work at the museum with your college course at Bournemouth and Poole College?
Balancing college workload alongside my day-to-day work can be challenging, but I make sure to plan my week in advance and try to set aside specific times for any studying or assignments that I need to work on. It’s also great to keep a record of any exciting projects or training I’ve been involved in at work, to use for reference within my college work.
What would you say to anyone else thinking of giving apprenticeships a go?
I would highly recommend apprenticeships to anyone that is considering them. They really do offer the perfect opportunity to gain practical experience while earning a qualification. It’s a great way to start a career and build a large portfolio of skills that will be very beneficial in the long run!