BT worker wins top apprentice award
BT worker Suzanne Murray was named as the country’s top non-traditional adult apprentice at Skills Development Scotland’s Modern Apprenticeship Awards.
The Glasgow-based employee scooped the non-traditional sector category for those aged over 20 at the SQA sponsored event in city. Suzanne is a customer service advisor who is described by her colleagues as “a fantastic asset to the business”.
Modern Apprenticeships offer those aged over 16 paid employment combined with the opportunity to train for jobs at craft, technician and management level. Apprentices work alongside experienced staff to gain job specific skills as well as training, perhaps one day a week with local providers such as colleges.
Suzanne was on holiday in the Canaries Islands and unable to receive her Award, so her father Edward accepted it on her behalf. The Awards audience heard how Suzanne’s main role in the retail section is to handle operator and emergency calls as well as deal with fault reporting and billing enquiries. The Kirkintilloch 23-year-old also helps other Modern Apprentices with job shadowing experience and recently played a key role at an employability event for senior school pupils at Hampden.
Before the ceremony Suzanne said: “The event was all about helping young people with personal statements, career awareness and interview skills. We also ran some mock interviews. It wasn’t so long ago that I was the one being interviewed, so it was a bit unusual but very enjoyable. I think the pupils found them useful.”
During her two years with BT Suzanne has constantly taken on extra responsibilities including personal assistant and administration cover and as acting team manager for the centre for the last 18 months.
She has been particularly committed to the BT volunteering scheme which encourages workers to help community and charity projects locally, nationally and internationally.
Her mum Elaine and sister Jennifer attended the Awards while her brother Andrew sent text messages to say well done.
“You could say that Suzanne couldn’t attend because of the weather although in her case it is 28 degrees in Tenerife not the freezing cold we have had this week. This holiday was organised before this or she would not have missed the Awards. We are so delighted she won the Award and called her straight away. Suzanne was so pleased but is keen to acknowledge the efforts of her BT mentors Kate and Brian who have helped her a great deal,” said Edward.
Skills Development Scotland’s chief executive Damien Yeates said: “Suzanne’s colleagues talk about her enthusiasm, her determination to develop her career and willingness to help others with their job progression. It was those attributes which helped shape her approach to her Modern Apprenticeship and why those efforts were recognised at the Awards.”
