Back in May, Direct Air welcomed a new member of the team. Today, we’re catching up with Emily to find out how her apprenticeship is providing her with valuable skills for life.
Since starting, Emily has been getting stuck into both her college work and on the job training. Trusted with responsibilities from the get-go, she has become a valued part of the service departments daily operations. We caught up with her to see how things are going so far…
Meet Emily
Emily is 20 and began her Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship Direct Air in May 2025. Working within the service department, she enrolled onto the course to strengthen her existing skills and grow within her role.
Why did you choose to start an apprenticeship?
I chose an apprenticeship because I’ve been interested in a career in administration for some time, but I didn’t have any direct experience in the field. An apprenticeship felt like the perfect starting point as it allows me to gain hands-on experience while learning the theory behind the role. Plus, the combined support from both work and college means I can develop my skills with guidance every step of the way.
What does your learning plan for college consist of?
The Business Administration qualification I’m working towards involves weekly classes focused on understanding how businesses operate, from organisational structures and internal processes to broader business functions. Each topic is designed to build practical knowledge that I can apply directly to my role at Direct Air.
As part of the course, I’ll also develop key skills in customer service and communication, which are especially valuable in my day-to-day responsibilities within the service department. To assess my progress, I’ll complete a series of assignments and knowledge-based tests that highlight any areas for improvement and contribute to my final end-point assessment.
What tasks are you taking on in the workplace?
In my role, I’ve been gradually taking on a range of responsibilities. These include managing expenses, requesting reviews from customers, downloading and distributing ISO and Breathing Air testing reports. More recently, I’ve started to take on the process of handling incoming job sheets which is helping me expand my knowledge within the service department.
How will attending the workplace and college combined provide you with skills for life?
Combining college with hands-on experience in the workplace gives me the best of both worlds. At work, I learn by shadowing colleagues, asking questions, and receiving practical training, which helps me build real-world knowledge and confidence. At college, I develop essential professional skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, all of which I can apply directly to my role. I really value this balance, as it allows me to grow in both theory and practice.