13th November 2024
From trucks to trophies – one South Devon College business apprentice has shown she can manage success after winning the Devon Women in Business Apprentice of the Year Award!
Sophie Clarke was recognised as Apprentice of the Year at the awards ceremony held at Winslade Manor, near Exeter, after impressing the judges with her dedication, growth and leadership within her organisation, alongside her self-improvement and skills development during her Level 3 CMI Team Leader/Supervisor apprenticeship.
Sophie is employed as a workshop administrator in Fleet at Southwest Integrated Services Company (SWISCo) Limited, Torbay Council’s service delivery company. Sophie started at the workshop as a temp in her early twenties with the aim of supporting the office for a few weeks, and 11 years later she is a dedicated permanent employee who is working on her apprenticeship to guarantee a strong future for herself and her son.
“I have always really enjoyed the human aspect of the job, getting to know the drivers, chatting with them on a really regular basis and being able to foster really good working relationships with them,” she said.
Sophie’s employers recognised her potential and she was selected to enrol on the Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor apprenticeship.
“I am now one year into the 18-month apprenticeship at South Devon College and have already learned so much. Amongst other things it has allowed me to assess the way I approach things now and determine where I can improve myself and the way I do things.”
One of Sophie’s new roles within the business is to deliver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) driving training for 56 members of staff and she credits her learning with her new-found confidence to achieve this.
“Having completed my own CPC qualification, I was able to lead a mandatory five-day training course for the drivers and keep this in-house, which I will continue to do on a monthly basis. I feel very passionate about mental health and was very lucky to be able to carry out a mental health module during this time.
“This was a challenge unlike any I have taken on before and the feedback from the drivers was overwhelmingly positive.”
Sophie was presented with her award by Caroline Field and Colette Dalton, Senior Sales Co-ordinators, Business Solutions, at the College.
Sophie Clarke receiving her DWIB Apprentice of the Year Award from Caroline Field and Colette Dalton, Senior Sales Co-ordinators, Business Solutions, at South Devon College (credit: Poppy Jakes Photography)
They said: “Starting her career as a temporary employee, Sophie has since become a pivotal figure in Fleet administration, handling a wide range of tasks from processing invoices to ensuring legislative compliance. Her commitment to supporting her colleagues highlights her empathy and dedication to fostering positive relationships in the workplace.
“Through her participation in the Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor apprenticeship, Sophie has shown a remarkable capacity for self-improvement, overcoming self-doubt, and developing the skills necessary to succeed in a male-dominated industry. Sophie, you are an amazing role model and an inspiring apprentice. Well done!”
Mel Glew, Assessor Coach at South Devon College, said: “I am honoured to be supporting Sophie on her apprenticeship journey – in a male-dominated industry at SWISCo she is exceptional in her role and her development and growth whilst on the programme is second to none. She was a very deserving winner.”
Sophie concluded: “I feel like I have come a long way since the start of my apprenticeship in terms of self confidence.
“I am passionate about this work for so many reasons, I am very lucky to be able to be creative with the way I carry out tasks, and every day is different.
“I am able to drive through the Bay and have a wonderful sense of pride – I have a hand in keeping the place we live so beautiful and that motivates me to work hard every day.”
Devon Women in Business is a membership network for women working across Devon, providing support and celebrating achievements through women-only networking events, workshops and the annual DWIB Awards.
