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Courtney at college for special week

The Apprenticefinalist all setto share advicewith studentsT

his week marks thetenth anniversary ofNationalApprenticeship Week, aweek designed to raise

awareness of apprenticeshipsand showcase the very best onoffer.

Chelmsford College iscelebrating ‘NAW2017’ with someinspiration.

This week, our currentapprentices, business studentsand apprentices of the futurewill get to hear, first-hand, fromTV celebrity and BBC TheApprentice finalist CourtneyWood.

Courtney, 30, lives in Essex,running his on trend novelty giftbusiness bubblegumstuff.com.

He was the finalist in thepopular 2016 show, series 12,where he narrowly missed outon Lord Sugar’s £250,000investment to Alana Spencer.

In interviews, Courtney sayshe had the self-belief he’d win allthe way through the process andit was only in the final herealised Alana’s cake businesshad the potential to successfullyupscale through a franchisingbusiness model.

Success

Billed as “a job interview fromhell,” the reality TV showpromotes lots of discussionaround what it means to be anentrepreneur and whichqualities are crucial to survivaland success in business today.

Courtney, for example, wastold his pitching skills neededwork.

Despite believing confidence isone of his strongest attributes,Courtney, along with 56 per centof the UK population, fearedpublic speaking.

Chelmsford College studentsare thrilled to hear more fromtheir TV idol.

“Watching how Courtneyovercame his fear of speakingand went on to deliver a firstclass pitch to industry leaders atthe end of the show was reallyinspiring,” said business studieslevel 2 student Oliver Logan.

“It takes guts to move beyondsomething that’s holding you upin life, let alone to do that onnational television.”

Whilst NationalApprenticeship Week celebratesits tenth year, Courtney iscelebrating his fifth year inbusiness.

He chose to study BAIndustrial Design at BrunelUniversity in 2005. He enjoyed

design and was good at it.Courtney said: “My generationwas heavily funded for furthereducation so it was a no-brainerto carry on studying.

“Would I do the same today? Ihonestly don’t know as it’s a bigdecision to make. However whatI do know is that I would not bewhere I am without the things Ilearnt studying at university.”

His business, BubblegumStuff, sells novelty goods, someof which were featured on TheApprentice, including thepopular heart ice cream scoopand the Trophy Baby beaker.

His advice to someone wanting

to start their own business is topick something they enjoy.

Courtney said: “Your businesswill need to be related tosomething you enjoy doing if it’sto work. You will need to workhard, be passionate and nevergive up when the going getstough. You will only succeed ifyou enjoy what you do.”

Whilst real lifeapprenticeships may not mirrorThe Apprentice on TV, the keyingredients to success appear thesame.

Courtney identifies these as“drive, ambition and attention todetail.” HARD AT WORK: Catering student Jack Brewster making biscuits

Andy Sparks, principal ofChelmsford College, said:“Attitude is everything when itcomes to learning. If you havethe drive, the ambition and theright attitude our tutors can helpyou learn what you need, toachieve your goals.”

Chelmsford College has about3,500 students and their focus ison “learning a living.”

“Apprenticeships offer the bestof both worlds,” said Andy.

“You have the support ofcollege, great tutors, help whereyou need it, you gain real worldexperience and you earn moneyas you learn.”

Sarah Hamilton, director ofbusiness services andresponsible for apprenticeshiprecruitment at the college, said:“There are all sorts of options inapprenticeships, it’s not just‘trades’ any more.

“You could choose a career inbusiness and retail,management, accountancy,journalism, fashion or IT.

“You really do get the benefitof having a real job whilst stilllearning.”

Phoebe Rooke, HR apprenticeat Chelmsford College, said:“You’re treated like an adult,which feels like a big differenceafter school. Suddenly you’re in

a workplace, on a career path,earning money whilst learningsomething new – and you get areal feeling of independence –that you can do this.”

An apprenticeship can openup a whole career pathway,including progressing on tofurther study, like Jordan Knightwho has undertaken a Level 3Specialist Supporting Teachingand Learning in Schoolsapprenticeship with ChelmsfordCollege and has now applied fora teaching degree withCanterbury ChristchurchUniversity.

Jordan said: “The best part ofmy apprenticeship is the chance

to learn from professionals inthe sector I’m working in, it hasmade such an impact to thelearning process.

“It has given me a chance topractice what I learn in theclassroom.”

Courtney says he’d definitelyemploy an apprentice in hisbusiness.

Ambition

He said: “My ideal candidatewould have a passion forlearning and the ambition to bethe best that they can be.

“For me an apprenticeship isabout giving the opportunity forsomeone to unlock their fullpotential.”

At the beginning of the BBCshow Courtney is on record forsaying “I’m not one to sit back. Iplan to assert my authority inthis process.”

After this week’s talkChelmsford College students andapprentices should certainly feelinspired to apply Courtney’sentrepreneurial approach, focusand confidence to their owncareer ambitions.

To find out more aboutapprenticeships, please call 01245293010.

SELF-BELIEF: Courtney Wood, from Essex, was on The Apprentice

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS:Principal Andy Sparks

LEARNING FROM PROFESSIONALS: Student Jordan Knight

PRACTICALEXPERIENCE:Catering studentsat ChelmsfordCollege