Skills for Life: Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 

This #NationalApprenticeshipWeek, we’re shining the spotlight on Molly Lock, CAN’s Warehouse and Logistics Administrator, who is currently advancing her career through a Business and Administration apprenticeship at our Aberdeen HQ.

National Apprenticeship week brings together those who are passionate about apprenticeships and skills to celebrate the value, benefit, and opportunity that they bring. As a Young Person’s Guarantee employer, CAN Group is committed to creating opportunities for young people across Scotland through jobs, apprenticeships, further and higher education, training programmes and volunteering, inspiring the next generation of young people to pursue careers within the energy sector. 

CAN Colleague
Molly joined CAN in March 2024 as Warehouse and Logistics Administrator, after relocating from South London to Aberdeen. Molly plays a key role in supporting and assisting with the smooth operation of the Warehouse department, including order processing, inventory tracking and maintaining accurate records. 

Molly explains: “In my role I am responsible for coordinating and processing bookings for all shipments leaving CAN and arranging the appropriate paperwork to go with them. This also involves ensuring that all documents, either completed internally or from external sources/companies, is stored appropriately in accordance with processes and procedures.”

Apprenticeship 
Reflecting on her apprenticeship journey so far, Molly takes us back to when she was first presented with the opportunity:

“The idea of starting an apprenticeship came about mid-2024 after I had been at CAN for a few months. Our HR Manager recognised an opportunity for me to further develop and grow my skills that I have been learning at CAN, by blending work and education together. 

“The apprenticeship that I am currently completing through Tullos Training is based on Business and Administration. The nature of this allows me to develop in my role with a practical hands-on approach to learning and helps me to demonstrate competence within my job, especially with the units I have chosen as it shows my ability to do required day-to-day tasks.”

Now eight months into her apprenticeship, Molly shares what she has found most beneficial about this opportunity:

“One aspect I have enjoyed most about the apprenticeship so far is the support that is available. When the idea of an apprenticeship was presented to me, I had lots of questions, and even before I had agreed to go ahead with it, the support was there to answer any queries that I had. This put any worries at ease and allowed me to go into the apprenticeship with confidence.

“The balance between learning and working has been great as a lot of the information / evidence required to complete my apprenticeship is already tasks I do daily in my role as Warehouse and Logistics Administrator. Demonstrating competence has helped me become more confident in my role and once completed, I will earn a qualification that guarantees that I have the knowledge and ability to carry out my role successfully.”

Advice for Apprentices 
Molly offers her advice and experience to anyone looking to start an apprenticeship:

“Prior to starting the apprenticeship, I was worried about what it would entail as I have never done anything like this before. But as soon as I started, and had meetings that explained what was involved, I began to feel more confident. A lot of support is provided so if I was ever at a point where I wasn’t sure what to do to progress further, I would be able to ask for advice.

“My words of advice for anyone who is considering whether to do an apprenticeship is to go for it, and not to worry or stress about not knowing what to do or the workload, as there will always be someone to support you and help if needed.”

Apprenticeship Awareness
There are countless ways to achieve career success, but have you considered the value of an apprenticeship? Here’s why Molly believes apprenticeships deserve more recognition:

“I personally don’t think that apprenticeships are promoted enough to the younger generation as prior to coming to work at CAN, I had never thought about or even heard of doing one in the business environment. If not for CAN’s help, I probably wouldn’t have ever been in a situation where I would be able to partake in one. 

“I hope that apprenticeships, especially those that take place within the business environment, are promoted more widely as it allows younger people to develop skills and gain qualifications that can be recognised both in their current workplace and externally.”

Robert Simpson, CAN’s Warehouse Manager shares his thoughts on apprenticeships:

“It has been great to see Molly enhance her skills and expand her knowledge through her apprenticeship. Opportunities such as this is an excellent way for the younger generation to explore what the energy industry has to offer.”

Congratulations Molly on all your hard work so far! We’re excited to see how you continue to grow and progress within your role at CAN. If you are interested in finding out about the various opportunities available at CAN Group, please visit www.cangroup.net/careers