Back to back Apprenticeships have helped Lexine McAuley scale her way to a manager role in the Outdoors.
After finishing school, Lexine, 26, toyed with a career in hospitality “but was interested in doing something a bit more active”.
“I was keen to work with young people and gain some different experience,” she says.
In 2006, Lexine began working at PGL, the UK's leading outdoor education provider, in Surrey as a group leader but wanted to continue learning. So when she was offered the chance to complete a level 2 Apprenticeship in Sport and Recreation with the company, she grabbed it.
“The Apprenticeship offered me the chance to gain qualifications while still progressing in my career at PGL,” she says.
Lexine completed her first Apprenticeship in just nine months, fitting her course work around her hours of work.
She enjoyed the experience so much that in 2010, Lexine - who by then had been promoted to assistant central operations manager – decided to take up a level 3 Apprenticeship in Sport and Recreation. She is on track to complete the Apprenticeship by April 2012.
With the help of Apprenticeships, Lexine has risen from activity instructor to assistant chief instructor, chief instructor , house manager and central operations manager.
“If you're passionate about an industry, capable and keen to progress, there's no reason not to take up an Apprenticeship,” she says.
PGL Apprenticeship Programme Manager Jo Mortimer says PGL's 180 current apprentices have helped the organisation achieve a more flexible and qualified staff base.
“Apprenticeships provide those who may not have travelled the academic route with the skills and qualifications we require. They show new and prospective staff the development opportunities on offer.”
Many of PGL's apprentices, like Lexine, have developed their management skills and gone on to work at higher levels within the organisation.
“In future, PGL would like to be able to offer every member of staff the possibility of doing an Apprenticeship - even those at management level.”
To find out more about Apprenticeships in the sport and active leisure sector please see Apprenticeships
