Winner - James Porch, DPD
Rising Star is awarded to young apprentices’ who
have shown exceptional growth or development within their role and are the ones
to watch for the future. 17-year-old James Porch couldn’t be a more worthy
winner of the award this year.
James
was recruited by Intec straight from school, joining logistics giant DPD as a
Business Administrator (Level 3) Apprentice in January 2020 at just 16 years
old. Moving from school into a workplace environment is daunting for any young
person: James was initially
very quiet and reserved. However, throughout his time at DPD and with the
support of his tutor, managers and colleagues he has grown into a mature
hardworking young man and a valued member of the DPD team.
One
of the biggest challenges for James was his confidence: “My confidence has developed hugely since I started my Apprenticeship.
Whereas before I would be too worried to make decisions by myself, I am now
able to make decisions confidently on my own.” James has also developed his
communication and interpersonal skills. “When I started in my Apprenticeship I
was put in a team of people of all ages and I thought I wouldn’t make it, but I
did and have since developed a good rapport with all of my colleagues.”
Credit
Manager, Suzanne Henley who supports the apprentices, is pleased with his
progress: “James was
fresh out of school and joined a team which was established and very busy.
However, he did not let this dampen his ability to get stuck in and learn. He
actively asks if he needs any help or support and is great at communicating
with his Team Leader. James has developed not only professionally but as a
person becoming more outgoing and a trusted member of the team.”
James
efforts have been recognised across DPD, Claims Manager, Ross Whiting says: “I
am very proud of how far James has come in such a short space of time and I am
very glad to have him as a member of my Department. Hardworking, timely and a great individual -
what more could you want!”
James is
now encouraging other apprentices: “Recently
I have had to complete a presentation in front of all the other apprentices in
DPD and I received some very positive feedback.”
“It was
Amazing”, comments Suzanne.
James has also had to contend with the added challenge of working
during the COVID Pandemic. “I had
only been inside the office for a couple of months before lockdown, which
forced me to work from home and meant I had to get used to remote training. I
also switched departments for a month and had to learn a whole new role
remotely which was difficult, but I managed to adapt to the new circumstances.”
His tutor
Sandra Chappell agrees and has been impressed with the commitment James has
shown: “James has never met me in person and all of
our meetings have been remote. He completes all of his work on time and has
never missed an appointment. All of James work is of a high standard and I have
seen him grow in confidence. James is keen to have a career within DPD and this
is evident by the interest he shows in both his job role and in the
apprenticeship.”
“As a business,
we have core values that we expect to be demonstrated by every employee - Passion, Respect, Honesty, Flexibility, Hard Work and
Accountability. As James has developed, he is clearly demonstrating all
of these Core Values and is delivering the same level of quality in his work as
some of the more experienced members of the team. He certainly has a great
future career with DPD.” – Suzanne Henley.
Apprentices
like James highlight what apprenticeships are all about, providing people with
the skills they need to excel in the workplace.
“This apprenticeship has really helped me transition from school to
adult life. It has got me used to a professional environment, and I have gained
many skills and attributes, which will contribute hugely to helping me in the
future. When reporting to a manager, I am treated the same as everyone else and
not as someone who has just left school and learning the job for the first
time.”
James
clearly has a bright future ahead of him at DPD!
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