Apprenticeship Success: Lee Wiggins
Job Title: Modified Team Leader
Employer: Hörmann UK Ltd
Quote: “I have a much better understanding of what my team expect of me in terms of guidance and leadership.”
Why an apprenticeship?
I’d been working for Hörmann UK for four years when I was offered the opportunity to do a Level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship. I jumped at the chance and felt it would help me better understand my role. As Modified Team Leader, I oversee the modification and completion of customer ordered sectional doors and make sure they are correct to customers’ specifications. The apprenticeship covers aspects of team leading and management within the workplace and was mainly online, incorporating learnings like team building exercises and understanding how to motivate and build a high-performance team.
Benefitting my business
As a result of my apprenticeship, I have a much better understanding of what my team expect of me in terms of guidance and leadership. This has had a positive impact on how we work as a team. I’ve gained much more confidence in my role especially when managing colleagues, problem solving and time management. I have demonstrated these skills recently through identifying and implementing improvements to the area I work in. This has involved the re-organisation of the workplace to create a better workflow and identifying areas needing extra staff in order to complete time critical customer orders. Also, simple things like complimenting staff on a job well done goes a long way in terms of motivation.
The EDN difference
Moving forward, my apprenticeship has made me realise I would like to progress and learn other areas of the business to broaden my skill set. My employer has been supportive, allowing me time to complete my coursework. They have also helped me implement new ideas within the business. The online-based modules have helped my understanding of the role of team leader. I also benefitted from Zoom meetings with my EDN Vocational Trainer Linda which allowed a more personal approach to my learning and identified areas where I need to improve and better understand.
The apprenticeship has given me a better understanding of my role – from understanding leadership styles to methods which help to motivate people to identify problems within a team and the solutions needed to solve these problems. These are all critical skills and I now feel better equipped to progress in my role.