Meet Joe Large, Customer Service Apprentice at the Arts Council

Joe is one of our Level 2 Customer Service Apprentices and works at the ‘front door’ of the organisation, responding to enquiries and supporting with administration. He shares an insight into his experience as an apprentice at the Arts Council... 

 

What encouraged you to apply for an apprenticeship?  

 It seemed like an excellent gateway into the cultural sector, which can be notoriously difficult to access for entry-level applicants. I think it’s great that the Arts Council offers apprenticeship roles and specifically signals them to those of us needing our first step on the ladder. 

How would you describe your experience at the Arts Council so far?  

Working within the Customer Services team throughout the pandemic has been extremely rewarding, if not extremely busy at times! The colleagues that make up the Arts Council are a fantastic bunch of friendly, creative and hard-working individuals - I’m thrilled to be a part of that. 

What have you learned since starting your apprenticeship?  

So far, the apprenticeship has been really valuable! There’s lots of work to get through and the course can be demanding, but it’s useful to constantly reflect while understanding your job role. It’s allowed me to develop my customer service skills, while learning about the creative and cultural sector more widely.   

What are your ambitions following the completion of your apprenticeship?   

After my apprenticeship, I’d like to continue to be a part of delivering the Arts Council’s work in the future. More specifically, I’d love to continue working within the Customer Services team in full capacity, supporting our applicants with their enquiries.  

Following that, there are several teams within the Arts Council that I'd like to gain experience with – in particular, I’m interested in communications and working with our funded organisations. I also think, after my apprenticeship, I’ll feel much more equipped to apply for a role within an administrative team in an Arts Council-funded organisation, such as a theatre or a gallery. 

What would you say to others thinking about applying for an apprenticeship?

Absolutely go for it! It’s a great organisation to work for and a brilliant first step into a career in the creative and culture sector. I would also recommend looking at apprenticeships more widely. There are plenty of placements advertised on the government's website and you might be surprised at the available opportunities.

 

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