How Apprenticeships build cross departmental relationships with apprentice Robyn Smith
Robyn Smith
You know when you have an amazing job when you love coming to work every day!
My role is Office Coordinator and I need to wear many different hats, whether it is supporting the directors, new and existing clients, apprentices and our wonderful team. I really enjoy that I am involved from the start of a learner’s journey right through to them achieving their qualification and then handing their certificates at one of our graduation events.
This will be my 4th year working for Umbrella Training and I am completing my second apprenticeship - Operations Departmental Manager, Level 5 and I have already gained a distinction in Business Admin Level 3. I have completely bought into the culture and vision of Umbrella Training and how we are helping create the bespoke pathways for apprenticeships and Kickstarters within the Hospitality and Corporate sectors.
Lockdown challenges
Like all businesses, we faced many challenges as a company last year but the most challenging I found was staying in touch with our fabulous clients. The Hospitality sector was completely shut down, so we really had to work hard to engage with our clients and apprentices.
My main point of contacts were all furloughed, which resulted in departments within the different organisations being closed or job roles being shared/designated to others. The collaborative relationships I have with our clients allowed me to ping a quick email or text message to check on any matters. Our team are amazing with our clients and apprentices and I often had to lean on them for further communications if needed.
Face to Face to Online overnight
Overnight, the whole company went from face-to-face interaction to online delivery only and we adapted very quickly and professionally. I utilised my knowledge I gained from my level 3 apprenticeship, knowing I had to interact with clear, concise communications from the offset. This also meant the relationships I had with our team, both professionally and personally, so we could support each other through very uneasy times. I loved our Friday catchups!
Umbrella Training is a small company, and we all share some extra responsibilities, this obviously increased during the pandemic and constantly we evaluated how we communicated with each other and also recognising where we needed to take a step back and give it a fresh approach. We are human after all.
Clear communication is key to a good relationship, and I believe Teams or Zoom video calls has really helped in making those initial introductions and allows for a good relationship foundation to be created. I have seen the team more on Teams/Zoom than I have in the 4 years working in Umbrella. I love this.
Communication is the key
The last year has really taught me the importance of relationship management. I feel more confident in handling difficult situations and this is all down to the communication/relationship I have with the individual(s).
I will now rather Teams call someone than send an email. We are just coming out of the lockdown but seeing someone’s face when you have spent the good part of a year working from home, really does help your mental health.
From my apprenticeship, I have witnessed the different types of relationships between departments and also the challenges they face internally as well as externally. Relationships are a two-way street, the “give and the take”.
The constant evolvement of it and being comfortable in asking the awkward questions, having clear expectations, giving praise as well as giving constructive feedback.
Without having a good relationship no team, individual or company can grow. Keep talking people!
Robyn Smith - April 2021
