28/06/24
CTT Group has always been at the forefront of innovation and growth, and in recent years, we’ve been expanding our horizons by introducing apprenticeships across various departments!
Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to quickly learn new skills, gain valuable experience, and kickstart a promising career. It’s no wonder they’ve become a favourite path for school leavers eager to jumpstart their journey into the industry.
One school leaver has taken full advantage of this opportunity and made every moment count. Adam, our first-ever apprentice in the Systems Team, has completed his Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship and secured a full-time role at CTT at just 17 years old! We sat down with Adam to reflect on and celebrate this milestone.
From family talks, to small career steps
Adam’s interest in business started early, inspired by his father and brother, who were always enthusiastic about the field.
“My brother and my dad would always talk about it. I learned a lot from my dad, which has helped me to this day,” Adam recalls.
Adam’s brother, a former CTT Group employee in the Systems Department, played a pivotal role in guiding him towards CTT. “At home, hearing my brother talk about his day and the work he was doing with databases and systems really intrigued me,” explains Adam. This early exposure sparked Adam’s interest in the world of business and IT, particularly programming.
“Programming was a huge interest for me at school; I knew I wanted to do something involving that too,” he adds.
Inspired by his brother’s experiences and lessons, Adam saw the potential for a career that combined his passions. After obtaining his GCSEs, Adam reached out to CTT to enquire about joining the team as an apprentice. Having learned about CTT’s culture and met the System Team’s senior leaders, Adam knew it was the perfect place to pursue his interests and take the next step in his education.
Hands-on experience and professional growth
Starting his apprenticeship in November 2022, Adam found himself welcomed into a nurturing and dynamic environment. Balancing work-from-home days for assignments with in-office collaboration, he immersed himself in the world of CTT’s system processes.
“My apprenticeship providers would come to CTT to see how I’m doing, which was nice. My team has always been very supportive,” Adam shares.
Adam fondly reflects on the support he received from all staff at CTT Group, “Everyone was helping me on my journey, HR, directors, managers, and team leaders. They helped me and mentored me a lot,” he states.
For Adam, who joined CTT at just 16, the apprenticeship was a significant learning curve, especially in developing essential skills for the workplace.
“Coming out of school, there’s a lot to learn. Communication skills were a big one,” he notes.
By attending meetings with clients and participating in the daily operations of the software, Adam gained first-hand insight into the inner workings of a professional environment and software development teams.
One standout moment during his apprenticeship was his first project with his colleague Marcus, in which the pair had to create an online form for CTT’s Technical Director.
“Looking at Marcus coding the form, seeing how he approaches it, and going back and doing it myself taught me a lot,” says Adam, “sitting in on weekly meetings and being involved in the project helped me understand a lot about managing my workload and collaboration.”
Being just 17 in a team of more experienced colleagues has allowed Adam to tackle challenges across various areas of the department, acquiring knowledge and skills at an impressive rate!
Growth beyond apprenticeships
Adam is not only the Systems Team’s first-ever apprentice but also the youngest person to permanently join the team!
Having completed his apprenticeship in May 2024, Adam is thrilled to have secured a full-time contract with CTT Group. “CTT is a lovely place to work. I’m very happy I’m staying here for the future. That full-time contract has motivated me a lot now,” he adds.
Adam is eager to continue learning and growing within CTT. Now working alongside the team on a full-time basis, he’s excited to be fully hands-on and involved in a multitude of projects. “I’m looking forward to learning more about the software and user management. I also look forward to learning more programming languages that I’ve not come across yet. There’s a lot to absorb within the systems department, and it will be great to collaborate with colleagues who all do different types of work,” he expresses.
Adam is also preparing to take on an additional responsibility within the team. In an exciting turn of events, Adam will soon be training the next apprentice: his cousin! Given CTT’s strong family atmosphere and culture, it seems fitting that Adam’s cousin is now joining the team!
“I’m excited to show him the ropes. CTT really is a fantastic environment. I look forward to bringing our bond to the team and enhancing the collaboration,” he said.
As he approaches the next stage of his career within CTT, Adam has ambitious goals. He aspires to one day obtain a senior role within the Systems Team, helping the team conquer exciting future challenges. “That’s definitely one of my goals here,” he concludes.
Bright futures at CTT
Adam’s journey from a young apprentice to a full-time team member at just 17 years old is a testament not only to his drive and passion but also to the supportive environment we cultivate at CTT Group. His story highlights the power of mentorship, encouragement, and the valuable opportunities apprenticeships can offer.
We are incredibly proud of Adam and eagerly anticipate the new milestones he will achieve in his career at CTT Group. Here’s to many more success stories and a bright future ahead!
If you’re interested in working with us, click here to view our current vacancies!
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