Why did you decide to take an apprenticeship with the Urdd?  

I joined the apprenticeship scheme with the Urdd to develop my professional and person skills. I wanted to deliver a better service to the young people I engage with. 

What do you enjoy most about your job and how does the apprenticeship effect your job? 

I enjoy supporting young people in finding their voice, building their skills and celebrating their achievements. The training program has helped to increase my own knowledge base, critical thinking skills and the importance of reflection. 

What does taking on a bilingual apprenticeship mean to you?  

Taking on a bilingual apprenticeship, to me, means engaging in a learning experience that not only involves acquiring professional skills but also doing so on a personal level. Getting to fully engage with the community and open new channels of communication is very rewarding. 

How has doing the apprenticeship developed your Welsh skills? 

I have been using more Welsh in my day to day life and my situational awareness has greatly improved. It has opened up conversations with more local people and as a result I have made new friends! 

What are your interests outside the workplace?  

Outside of work I enjoy cooking, foraging and preserving. The wild garlic season in Ceredigion is epic and when combined with the abundance of berries, mushrooms and fruits it is a joy to behold! 

In which way does completing an apprenticeship effect your personal development?  

By completing the apprenticeship I will have improved my Welsh language skills and also have a better understanding of myself, how I learn and approach challenging situations.  

What do you hope to do after completing your apprenticeship?  

Once I have completed my apprenticeship I will continue to bring all I have learnt Into my day to day life and provide a better service for the young people I work with. 

Describe your responsibilities. 

Here in Depot, Cardigan, I manage a paid Barista placement program for people between 16 and 25 years of age who are out of work and education. My responsibilities include engaging with these young people to build their skills, from communication to barista training and all the inbetweens of hospitality.   

I manage the main running of the Kitchen and cafe services, organise food handling training and official certification for the Baristas. As the training progresses I facilitate ‘peer to peer’ learning and increasing responsibility for each individual. We focus on all aspects of support including educational, emotional, financial and build towards better employability prospects or returning to further education for every member of our team. 

Describe your experience of completing the apprenticeship with the Urdd in 3 words!  

Reflection, Reflection, Proactive problem solving! 

Would you like to add anything about your story? How have you reached where you are now? What was/is your biggest challenge?  

Although I have struggled with learning other languages, I find the mixed medium and enthusiasm with which Welsh is spoken to be very helpful.