Toni Whitehead
Toni Whitehead is 19 years old and works in World News,
Terminal 3 at Heathrow airport. She left school with no
qualifications, and as a result, found it difficult to get full
time employment. In December 2003, Toni found
temporary work in an Argos store, but after the Christmas
period she found herself unemployed again. She then
approached a large London based charity called 'Project
2041' who helped her produce a CV and gave her training
on interview techniques.In July 2004 Toni contacted BAA's Retail Academy in
Heathrow, who arranged an interview with World News.
Toni's enthusiasm shone through and she was offered a
position as Sales Assistant. Toni worked hard to learn as
much as she could and built her confidence. Early the
following year, Toni's name was put forward by World
News to join the Retail Level 2 Apprenticeship programme
which is being delivered throughout the airport.
About Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are nationally designed training programmes. They offer employees the opportunity to enhance their skills through a combination of work-based learning and training.
There are two levels of Apprenticeship available:
- Apprenticeship (Level 2)
- Advance Apprenticeship (Level 3)
Both programmes lead to a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), a Key Skills Qualification and in certain areas, a Technical Certificate Award.
Market Sectors
Covered Working in partnership with Learning and Skills Councils (LSC), BAA Retail Academy together with VT Training provide Government funded Apprenticeships in the following sectors:
- Retail
- Customer Service
Since then Toni has been making excellent progress toward her qualification, completing all assignments and assessments with Jo Bailey, her Training Officer from Touchstone Learning & Skills. Jo is very impressed with Toni's hard work and dedication to her job and the programme, saying "Toni has overcome earlier obstacles to prove to herself and others that she is capable of much more than she believed. She has blossomed in the last few months and her confidence has soared."
Toni has been fully trained in cash office procedures and now also works at the Alpha Cash Office. She balances the takings, collects till lifts from the store, enters information onto the safe records and uses the safe, as well as giving helpful advice to other members of staff who are undertaking the Apprenticeship programme.
Toni showed her dedication and how much confidence she has gained by applying for a supervisory position in Terminal 5. Unfortunately she was unsuccessful in her application as she is still quite young and inexperienced, but this has not put her off, and it is a measure of her rising self worth that she feels ready for a promotion.
Toni has achieved her Retail Technical Certificate with a distinction and has passed her Communication and Application of Number Key Skills level 1 tests, and has very nearly completed the whole of her qualification on target. Who knows where she will go from here……