Alex is the first apprentice in the UK to complete his programme and Inspire ATA is the first training agency to facilitate this.
Earlier this month we were thrilled to announce that Alex completed his Teaching Assistant apprenticeship with Inspire ATA.
He started his placement in February 2022 as part of the new DfE flexi-job apprenticeship agency register scheme.
Head of Operations at Inspire ATA, Giulia Scarabaggio said: "This pilot scheme has allowed Inspire ATA to support almost 200 young people into employment and introduce them to the world of apprenticeships. We are incredibly proud of all our achievements to date and are excited to see more apprentices complete their journey with us in the upcoming weeks".
19 year old Alex worked as a SEN Teaching Assistant apprentice. He has now progressed onto a full time role and pleased to be the first apprentice to complete on this scheme.
Alex has always been keen on making a difference in the Special Educational Needs area and wanted to get experience working with children.
I am passionate about working in an environment where I can make a positive impact on the lives of children every day. I previously coached sports for younger children and I discovered my desire to use my skills to support children and develop their self-esteem, especially those with challenging behaviour.’s affecting my work life.”
Personally, the most valuable aspect of the apprenticeship was the opportunity for on-the-job training. The entire experience presented me with opportunities for hands-on learning, allowing me to put theory into practice and build practical skills. Rather than solely relying on textbook knowledge, I was able to learn from my mentors and colleagues, who provided guidance and support.
My goal is to empower SEN children to reach their full potential and become confident, well-rounded individuals. I believe that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and I am committed to making a difference in their lives.
Working as a SEN TA is such a unique experience, it allows me to help children take small steps forward, develop their skills, be a role model, and provide them with learning and emotional support so they can flourish. I am learning about autism, special behavioural needs, different types of communication, how to cope with challenging needs, manage difficult situations and de-escalate them, be patient, and celebrate every small win.
Some days are difficult, but every day is incredibly rewarding.
The support I received from Inspire ATA during my apprenticeship was really great, the team was with me every step of the way. Jules and Scarlet kept checking on my progress and encouraging me to aim high. They always kept in touch to make sure I was up to date with my work. The school have also been amazing. I work with an incredible team who have been very supportive when it comes to practical skills and are always there for me. I have some great mentors at school, and I am looking forward to working with them.
The skills for life I have learnt during this apprenticeship include critical thinking, problem-solving, resilience, empathy, communication skills, assertiveness, decision making, and a willingness to learn. I would like to have a career in sports and teach here in the UK or abroad. I am now employed as a full-time SEN Teaching Assistant, and I would love to continue working here as I really enjoyed this programme.”
Alex’s placement manager added “Alex is a very enthusiastic and committed member of staff. He is friendly and is well-liked by staff and the pupils. He has established strong relationships with the pupils in his group and is able to assert his authority appropriately with some of the more challenging boys in the group. Alex has had to cope with several staff changes and challenges over the past term, but his consistent attendance has been invaluable in maintaining routines for the pupils. We are so pleased he has completed his apprenticeship with us and we are looking forward to him working with us in the future.”
Inspire ATA Co-Founder & Director, Matthew Lord added: "We are delighted for Alex, not only is he the first person to complete a flexi-job apprenticeship, he has also been offered a job with his placement school, which is fantastic. The flexi-job apprenticeship agency model is a little-known concept that works so well for both employers and apprentices. The support we received from the Department for Education has been excellent throughout the pilot, and as the country’s leading agency, we are now in a strong position to further grow this model and create even more opportunities for young people entering the workforce for the first time."
