Apprentice stories
Raymond
Graduate Apprentice
Business Management
Raymond O’Donnell moved from customer services to management through a Graduate Apprenticeship.
Raymond's
journey
Raymond headed straight to college after leaving Bishopbriggs Academy. He then spent a few years working in various customer service and social media roles. Motherwell-based Raymond started with ACS in 2017. He worked as a Customer Service Administrator for 4 years. Raymond was then offered the chance to enter management through a Graduate Apprenticeship. He now leads a team of 45 people as a Trainee Operations manager.
Raymond's
apprenticeship
While working in customer services, Raymond admits he didn’t know much about Graduate Apprenticeships. This changed when he saw a job advert to work in the warehouse and earn a qualification. After an easy online application process, Raymond started his new role. He leads a team which focuses on cleaning and checking clothes so they can be reused. Raymond has gained more knowledge of his industry thanks to his apprenticeship. The Trainee Operations Manager studies at the University of the West of Scotland as part of his Graduate Apprenticeship. Raymond loves working towards a formal qualification while threading together his career.
How is your time split between university and the workplace?
How was the application process for you?
How was your first week as a Graduate Apprentice?
A Graduate Apprenticeship is giving me a formal qualification alongside my work. I’m learning while earning and it’s helped me get to managerial level.
Raymond
Graduate Apprentice, Business Management
The future
Raymond’s sole focus is on completing his Graduate Apprenticeship. He hasn’t thought too much about the future but knows he’s in a great position. The Graduate Apprentice said: “This will help me advance my career because it gives me a seal of approval. Rather than just having experience of working in management, I’ve got a qualification to go along with it.”
More apprenticeship stories
Check out the apprenticeship frameworks available
We'll help you find the right apprenticeship framework to kick-start your career.