Leisure Duty Management Apprentice, George Turner, shares his journey from sports development to leadership, as he takes the next step in his career as Duty Manager at the Village Hotel.
Learning More About Myself
“I went to college and studied Level 3 Sport Development, which gave me a great insight into the leisure and sports industry. After that, I went into employment with Medway Council, where I continued building experience in the sector before finally moving across to Village Hotels.
I decided to do an apprenticeship to gain more knowledge on management. I really wanted to take that next step in my career, and I saw the apprenticeship as the perfect opportunity to not only grow my skills, but also learn more about myself as a manager.”
Stepping Up Into Management
“It’s helped me personally by showing me how to adapt my leadership style in different situations and with different team members. I’ve become more self-aware and confident in how I communicate and lead others.
Professionally, it’s helped me move forward in my career within the leisure industry. I’ve been able to take on more responsibility and step up into a management role with more confidence.
It’s also helped prepare me for my long-term goals by giving me a solid foundation in leadership and the tools to handle challenges more effectively.”
Boosting My Confidence
“They’ve been really supportive. I was given time during my shifts to work on my apprenticeship tasks, which made a big difference. My colleagues and managers also shared knowledge and information with me whenever I needed help or wasn’t sure about something.
One proud achievement for me was when I had to deal with a difficult situation at work. Thanks to the different leadership styles I learned through the apprenticeship, I was able to handle it calmly and effectively, which really boosted my confidence.”
It’s Not Just About The Qualification
“The advice I would give would be to follow your heart. Choose a course you know you’re going to enjoy – something that excites you and matches your interests and career goals.
An apprenticeship isn’t just about qualifications; it’s also about personal development and learning more about who you are as a professional and a person.”
A Special Thank you
“I’d really like to thank Darrell, who was my Training Advisor when I first started the apprenticeship. He was brilliant -always there to help with my work and answer any questions I had. Then I had Helen, who was a lovely mentor. She supported me so much, especially when it came to meeting deadlines. Any time I had a question or needed help, she got back to me straight away. Both of them made a massive difference to my learning experience.”
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