#NoWrongPath
My Apprenticeship Journey, by Dylan Austin
A bit about me:
Hello! My name is Dylan and I’m 18 years old. I completed school with a national 5 in Maths and English and an SQA in personal finance. I decided to leave school at the start of 6th year to take a gap year doing work experience.
From School to Earning While I Learn:
During my gap year, I secured a position labouring in Dundee. I did this for 6 months but soon realised this wasn’t the job for me. However, during this role I did also help out with adm
in and payroll which cemented my interest in Finance. I decided that I really wanted to work within finance in a larger organisation. I started to check the intranet regularly for financial roles and spotted an apprenticeship opportunity at Hillcrest, for which I successfully applied.
My experience at Hillcrest:
Hillcrest is my first apprenticeship, I started in January 2022 and I’m undertaking a Foundation Certificate in Accounting. The interview for this apprenticeship role was my first, and I was understandably nervous which I had the courage to share at the interview. Thankfully the recruiting team were very kind and put me at ease. I was really pleased to be awarded the role.
I really thrive in the environment that I am working in and feel fully supported by my team and wider colleagues. I have been successful in passing my first 2 AAT exams with the support of my line manager Sarah and also David and Liz – the Babington Training providers. This has helped boost my confidence. Hillcrest fully supports me to have study time within my working week and this apprenticeship is a great opportunity to earn while I learn. Along with my studies I am involved in the Hillcrest’s Young Peoples group which meets regularly to discuss and help shape the future of the business through a young person’s eyes.
My dreams and ambitions:
In a years’ time I see myself working in the finance department at Hillcrest, having completed my level 2 AAT course. In 5 years’ time I would like to see myself as a fully qualified accountant.
I am really proud that I have passed my first 2 AAT exams and how I have overcome my nervousness that I felt on my interview to my growing confidence that I have developed since working at Hillcrest, through the role I do, the Young Person Group and support and encouragement from my colleagues and team.
At Hillcrest, we offer a range of diverse job roles and apprenticeship opportunities to match your skills and interests. If you would like more information on current job vacancies at Hillcrest, please visit our careers page. We are also hosting an Apprenticeship recruitment Open Evening on Thursday 18 August from 5 pm until 7 pm. This will be held at Hillcrest HQ – 1 Explorer Road Dundee. For more details please contact Lesley English on Tel: 07452931367 or email: LEnglish@hillcresthomes.org