Name and Job Role
Portia Taylor-Black, Business Engagement Officer
Which type of Apprenticeship are you doing or have you completed? Please include if it is intermediate, advanced or higher.
Completed: Intermediate Business Administration Apprenticeship
On-going: Advanced Business Administration Apprenticeship
Who do you work ?
Chorley Council as Business Engagement Officer
Why did you choose to become an apprentice?
I felt an apprenticeship was the pathway for me as opposed to university. It was an opportunity to still study but I’d accumulate work experience in a career I wanted to pursuit, while receiving a salary and not acquiring student debt.
What does your day in your work life involve?
First point of contact for businesses enquiring about support. Monitoring our commercial property database and supporting businesses with property searches
Monitoring databases i.e. enquiries, businesses etc. Web champion: support with our website. Supporting our business engagement Officer with skills and employment initiatives in West Lancashire. Supporting our Senior Economic Regeneration Officer with marketing activities.
What do you enjoy and what is the best thing about being an apprentice?
I am very eager to learn and progress and doing my apprenticeship enables both of these. Not only this, but I also accruing valuable work experience.
What are your career plans and what would you like to be doing in 5 years’ time?
Pursuit an apprenticeship where I can achieve a degree in my area of work (degree apprenticeship).
What is your greatest achievement?
Achieving the qualifications I have, along with working full-time and studying towards my level 3 apprenticeship, whilst also studying towards my Mathematics/Mechanics A-Level qualifications.
Give us one fun fact about yoursElf!
I am a car enthusiast and enjoy attending many car events including the Santa Pod Raceway in Bedfordshire
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about becoming an apprentice?
If you are thinking of this as option alongside University, I would certainly suggest having a look into what apprenticeships are available in the area you would like to pursuit a career in. Apprenticeships have a lot to offer, like University. However, there are the benefits of apprenticeship including receiving a salary and work experience which a university doesn’t provide.