NEAC Welcomes first Apprentice Ambassador Tim Lamb General Manager ‘Metro Centre’

NEAC would like to welcome and thank its first Apprentice Ambassador, Tim Lamb (General Manager) Metro Centre in Gateshead.

Tim Started his career as an apprentice in the North East and is convinced that the skills that he learned in those early years of his working career have contributed substantially to what he has achieved to date in his very successful career path.

“I am delighted that Tim is the first of hopefully many successful businessmen and women, who will sign up to be one of NEAC’s apprentice ambassadors.  It is clear to see from Tim’s success in business that completing an apprenticeship is a great foundation and launchpad for a successful working life. I would love to hear from anyone who feels they have a story to tell about how their apprentice experience has contribute to their working career.  We are looking forward to welcoming more apprentice ambassadors in the next few months to help encourage more employers and young people to consider and apprenticeship”  Paul Champion CEO NEAC.

We asked Tim a few questions about his thoughts on apprenticeships:

How Come you became an apprentice?

At  15/16 I was a fairly typical young lad from a normal working class background, I lacked motivation, care of direction from my school. Not being a trouble maker I was just left to my own devises, and coming from my background University wasn’t really on the radar.

I left school with 4 ‘O’ levels 2 B’s English and maths and 2 C’s, my father was an engineer with 30 years in the motor trade. On leaving school I saw an advertisement in the Evening Chronicle for an apprentice for Mill Garages within the parts department,  my father came along for the interview and his advice was to always have very clean shoes, this must of helped as I got the job.

What were the best parts of doing an apprenticeship?

There were lots of good parts, however it was the feeling of self worth that I was someone worth investing in. I really enjoyed being at college, learning along side working.

The boost to my self –confidence encouraged me to do re-sits of ‘O’ levels and take A levels, and this linked to the 3 year apprenticeship allowed me to see other job roles and possible future careers.

What were the worst bits of doing an apprenticeship?

In those days apprentices were often treated as lackeys, just an extra pair of hands, but today I can see that there are clear and targeted outcomes that are needed to achieve the apprenticeship framework.  Employers can see the clear benefit and return on investment that ensure that capable young people are given responsibility to develop their own skills and clearly contribute in a a big way to delivery of a business.

Would you advise businesses to take on an apprentice?

Certainly it is a great way to build the skills an organisation needs for the future using the skills and culture within to develop the right people .

Would you advise young people to undertake an apprenticeship?

Definitely its a great way to develop a career.

The mixture of working in the actual job , being paid whilst being able to develop your skills through that but also having the training aspect to develop the technical skills required by completing technical certificates and NVQ.

This enables organisations to develop people with the skills and attitudes they require for the needs of their business.