Story: Angelina Abel
17 year old Neelam Fazal is described as a ‘breath of fresh air’ by her manager at Construction Design Centre which she joined through Apprenticeships for All.
The Apprenticeships for All Project is managed by Sheffield City Council with New Deal for Communities and the Learning and Skills Council.
The Project offers Burngreave residents over 16 the opportunity to undertake accredited training and receive employment support in many different areas of work.
Neelam Fazal shows the benefits of the scheme. Aiming to be a receptionist, Neelam took up a place on the Project’s Business Administration programme. After submitting her CV, Neelam was selected to work in the Construction Design Centre. She describes her experience as a great learning process involving putting each step into practice.
“It’s wicked, I really enjoy it. I’m registering people, putting information into the computer, passing on messages. This experience has increased my confidence.”
Neelam describes the employer as “brilliant”.
“The staff are really good, the women are much older than me but really supportive. I feel that I can learn from them”.
Neelam is developing her communication skills, talking to people face to face, receiving visitors and placing orders. She is working towards an Apprenticeship Framework in Business and Administration that includes NVQ Level 2 by attending Sheffield City Council’s Employment Unit on day release.
Having started in October 2006, Neelam will qualify in November 2007; meanwhile she’s been earning £80 for a 5-day week. The experience has opened doors but also windows for Neelam, who hopes to be a receptionist in a solicitor’s firm and has been nominated for the Young Business Woman of the Year Award by the Project.
Neelam’s determination and hard work has paid off as the judges recommended her certificate be upgraded to ‘highly commended’ for her contribution to her placement. When asked about the award, Neelam said:
“I was proud and excited; I had to work hard to get it. The receptionist before me was off ill so I had a lot of work and a lot of responsibility. When I went to the ceremony I was nervous and had butterflies, but it was very good.”
We wish Neelam and her twin sister Niayla, also on the project, the best of luck. Apprenticeship for All offers a wide range of opportunities: Administration/IT, Construction, Catering, Printing and many other areas of work.
For more details about the Apprenticeships for All programme, ring 272 2743.
E-mail: ed-employmentunit@sheffield.gov.uk <ed-employmentunit@sheffield.gov.uk>.