GC Apprentice Finalist in South West Business and Community Awards

Congratulations to Leanne Finch who is a finalist in the 2021 South West Business and Community Awards, nominated for ‘Apprentice of the Year.’ Leanne won the award in 2020 and is back for a second year to reclaim her title.

Leanne joined Gloucestershire College as a Level 2 Business Administration apprentice with Sixways Clinic and South West Apprenticeship Company (SWAC), a City of Bristol College subsidiary. After completing the Level 2 programme, Leanne progressed to achieve her Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship, working closely with Dawn Morgan, Trainer and Assessor at GC.

We caught up with Leanne to congratulate her on this amazing achievement.

Leanne Finch, Business Administration Apprentice at Sixways Clinic 

Congratulations on winning Apprentice of the Year 2020 and now you’re a finalist for 2021 as well! How does it feel?

I am very grateful to have been shortlisted again for the Apprentice of the Year Award. The award ceremony is an amazing way to celebrate all the hard work that apprentices and businesses have achieved within the year. I am very grateful to Sixways, SWAC and Dawn, my assessor from Gloucestershire College, for helping me to achieve this.

What made you choose to do an apprenticeship originally?

I am more of a hands-on learner and decided that an apprenticeship would be perfect for me. I enjoyed level 2 with Sixways so decided to stay on to complete level 3. My role in the surgery was mainly reception, however, I took on more responsibility in order to enhance my skills.

What was your favourite thing about your apprenticeship?

My favourite thing about my apprenticeship is how I can see a big difference in my confidence from when I first started. This apprenticeship has helped me grow personally and professionally.

Did you feel supported throughout your apprenticeship?

My managers in my workplace are my biggest supporters and have helped me throughout the apprenticeship and I am very grateful to them. They provided me with lots of jobs and responsibility to help me gain the skills I needed.

My college assessor was equally supportive throughout my apprenticeship. Dawn helped me during the pandemic and gave me the guidance I needed.

Now you have finished your apprenticeship, what’s next?

Sixways helped me to achieve my apprenticeship and has kept me on in an exciting new role in the practice as a “Trainer and IT Lead”. I hope to continue using all the skills I have developed through the apprenticeship to fulfil this new role. I am excited to see what happens in the upcoming year and I hope to develop my skills further.

Would you recommend doing an apprenticeship?

I would definitely recommend doing an apprenticeship. I have learnt so much in my time as an apprentice and have managed to build my skills through a workplace environment. I feel confident with the skills I have learnt.

Congratulations Leanne and good luck for tonight! 

Dawn Morgan, Trainer and Assessor at Gloucestershire College, has worked with Leanne throughout her apprenticeship.

Dawn commented: "I have loved working with Leanne throughout her Level 2 and 3 Business Administration Apprenticeships with Gloucestershire College. It has been a pleasure to coach her through the programme and see her skills and knowledge develop. All of us at Gloucestershire College are so proud of Leanne and her achievements. To win Apprentice of the Year in the South West Business and Community Awards in 2020 was an incredible achievement and now to be a finalist for the 2021 awards, it shows just how talented Leanne is. She has a very bright future ahead of her at Sixways Clinic and I’m thrilled to have been part of her journey so far. Congratulations, Leanne!"

The South West Business and Community Awards will be a virtual online ceremony on Thursday 29th April.