Connor’s Journey at MKM
Connor’s time as an apprentice at MKM so far has been a game-changer as he sharpened his web development skills and is growing more confident. His dedication led to him winning HBTC’s Apprentice of the Year Award, recognising his valuable impact on the team.
After finding the apprenticeship opportunity at MKM online, Connor applied while feeling stuck in his college classes. He wasn’t enjoying the repetitive coursework, which was affecting his well-being. To his delight, after a couple of interviews and meeting the digital team, he landed the position. Connor anticipated that the apprenticeship would be similar to school, filled with lectures and assignments. However, he quickly discovered a lively work environment that was much more fast-paced than he had expected.
Throughout his apprenticeship, Connor has acquired valuable skills, including communication and confidence. He transitioned from being quite reserved to engaging confidently with coworkers and customers. Additionally, he learned to navigate professional settings, honing his web development abilities and understanding how to manage data securely.
So far, Connor has played a key role in various significant projects. Within the first two months, he set up a monitoring dashboard that improved the visibility of system availability. By researching options, tackling technical challenges, and completing the project promptly, he made it easier for the team to identify issues. Connor also manages the Web Support inbox, effectively addressing inquiries from staff and customers, which has significantly enhanced customer service and saved time. His assistance to the eCommerce team in organising product data clarified product information and boosted sales on the website. He analysed postcode data to improve delivery coverage with the goal of increasing online sales, and he contributed to the website by fixing styling issues and developing a landing page for the mobile app, showcasing his developing web skills. Furthermore, by taking online courses, he expanded his knowledge of MKM’s systems and programming languages, even developing for MKM’s own website.
Connor’s hard work led to a nomination for HBTC’s Apprentice of the Year Award from his manager, Vicky. She remarked, “Connor has brought great value to our team, showing determination in his projects and handling the Web Support inbox effectively. His eagerness to learn and take on challenges makes him an essential part of our team.”
Connor’s time at MKM has significantly influenced both his personal and professional development. He has learned the ins and outs of working in a professional environment, gaining practical experience in web development and data management. On a personal level, he has built his confidence, fine-tuned his communication skills and passed his driving test allowing him to travel to places he couldn’t get to before.
This apprenticeship has helped clarify Connor’s career ambitions as he aspires to become a junior developer at MKM. He aims to leverage the skills and insights he’s gained during his apprenticeship, hoping to continue growing within the company and contributing to its ongoing success. His experience at MKM serves as a great example of what apprenticeship programs can achieve. Through hard work and showcasing excellent problem solving skills, Connor’s journey highlights the importance of practical experience and mentorship, providing encouragement to those looking to bridge education with the professional realm.
For those contemplating an apprenticeship or considering bringing apprentices into their teams, Connor says “Just go for it! Don’t waste the opportunity because you don’t know when you’ll get a chance like it again”. The benefits significantly outweigh the risks, and you may just discover your next great talent. To explore our available opportunities, visit www.hbtc.co.uk/vacancies
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Laura Murray
Laura is our IT & Design Officer and is involved in anything IT or design related. She is also the supervisor of the Admin Team who keep things running smoothly here at HBTC. Laura is dedicated to ensuring systems and processes run as effortlessly as possible in the most visually appealing way.