Phoebe Payne: From Apprentice to Account Executive at GSM Valtech
Searching for an example of how an apprenticeship can open new doors? Then, look no further than Phoebe Payne’s journey from shop floor to the company office.
Having achieved a Distinction grade for her Level 4 Engineering Apprenticeship at York College, Phoebe has now landed a Customer Account Executive role with employers GSM Valtech.
And, while she might have swapped spanners for spreadsheets, Phoebe is still engineering solutions for the Wetherby-based sheet metal manufacturers and suppliers.
In fact, Phoebe’s brilliance as GSM Valtech’s first-ever apprentice has led to a commitment from the company to always have three on site at any one time.
Her success has given GSM Valtech real confidence in the value of apprenticeship programmes and witnessing her growth and the positive influence she has had across the business has inspired the leadership team to continue investing in young talent.
That marks impressive progression for someone who, when she began her apprenticeship at York College, never imagined just how far her determination and drive would take her. From overcoming self-doubt to learning new skills at College, Phoebe has shown how far commitment, a drive for progression and the right attitude can take you.
Now, just one year into her Customer Account Executive role, we spoke with Phoebe about her apprenticeship experience, new job and hopes for the future.
Reflecting on her Engineering apprenticeship studies, Phoebe shared:
“Looking back on my apprenticeship, I would say the biggest skill I have learnt is time management. This has been really useful with getting my job reports in and getting my assignments done at College.
“At the beginning of my apprenticeship, my tutor said that I used to leave everything until the last minute and this was a skill I struggled with. As my apprenticeship progressed, my tutor noticed that I was continually working on assignments rather than leaving it right to the end. It helped a lot with not feeling as stressed and I found my workload a lot easier to handle.”
After completing her studies, Phoebe received the fantastic news that she had achieved a Distinction. Admitting that she struggled with self-doubt, she went on to say:
“At my End Point Assessment, I was doubting myself and wasn’t feeling very confident. Hearing that I achieved a Distinction felt like such a relief.”
Phoebe’s success during her apprenticeship opened up many opportunities to learn different processes and areas of the business which ultimately landed her new role. Speaking of the experience she was able to gain, she shared:
“When I got asked to do an office-based role from being on the shop floor, this was a big surprise! It felt like a big step for me, being so young, but I’m really enjoying it.
“The opportunity arose because my company were really happy with how I was doing with my apprenticeship and at College. I’m always wanting to learn and make progress. I don’t want to be standing still.
“With me moving around the shop floor and different teams throughout my apprenticeship, I was given lots of opportunities to learn, including in office-based roles. I worked in Sales Engineering, and I also learnt the purchasing side of the business.
“While doing my apprenticeship, I was covering for someone and then got offered the role of Customer Account Executive.”
Reflecting on the skills she learnt in the workshop and how this has contributed to her success in her Customer Account Executive role, she explained:
“I think my confidence has grown, especially in my new role. I’m speaking to a lot more people, whereas before I was on the shop floor focussing more on just what I was doing.
“I feel confident in my new role because of the time I spent on the shop floor. I have the knowledge of how things work practically, and I’m able to explain processes to customers to help them understand.
“Having the hands-on experience from being on the shop floor has massively helped me. When I’m looking at drawings, I know what the processes are to make that part. Also, if there are tweaks to suggest to the customer, it’s a lot easier for me to articulate.
“My knowledge gives my customers more confidence. If they ask me a question, I can answer them with confidence which assures them that I know what they’re talking about and that they’ve come to the right place.”
Using her knowledge of the engineering processes learnt through her apprenticeship, Phoebe now works with customers and colleagues to bring projects to life:
“Customers will email me with enquiries for current parts that we already make or new ones that they’d like us to manufacture,” she explained.
“I’ll have a look at their drawings to see if their project is something that is achievable. If it is, we’ll then arrange a meeting to discuss the work before I then provide a quote to the customer. From there, hopefully we’re successful and we win the order.
“The customer will then send the purchase order, I load the contract and then I speak with Production before letting the customer know the lead time. My role is also to keep on top of the orders and make sure everything is on track.
“Time management is so important and I’m glad I learnt that doing my apprenticeship. I use these skills in my current role as there are a lot of deadlines that I need to work to. Every enquiry is a project for a customer and, as I managed projects at College, I can use all the skills I learnt along the way in what I do now.”
Eager Phoebe, who is passionate about learning and progression, now has her focus on the future:
“I would like to start working towards a managerial role. My plan for the next two years is to complete a management course and look at what steps are next for progression with the support of my company.”
Reflecting on the self-doubt she maybe had at the start of her apprenticeship and the confidence she now projects to her colleagues and customers alike, she added:
“Looking back to the start of my journey, I’d probably say that I should have believed in myself more.
“I’ve learnt to not overthink and to stay calm. Whatever the outcome, as long as I know I’ve given everything I have, that’s all that matters.
“I would really recommend doing an apprenticeship, mainly because the experience in the workplace really helps you, especially long term. Apprenticeships give you more confidence in knowing what you are doing, and the hands-on experience can open up so many different doors for you.”
Mark Hoffman, Operations Director at GSM Valtech Industries Ltd, has high praise for Phoebe and, having witnessed her progression from apprentice to Customer Account Executive, shared his observations:
“We’ve been blown away by Phoebe. She was our first apprentice and she’s been an inspiration for the company to carry on supporting apprenticeships. I now feel really strongly about always having three apprentices on site at any one time.
“Phoebe has picked up everything she’s been tasked with really well. She has such determination to receive good results, from welding to machining. She always aims to be good at things straight away.
“She has been a real inspiration to the people she’s worked with. She’s improved people’s mood because of the way she approaches her work. Whether she’s frustrated or just has a question, she always approaches things exactly the same. She just walks up, asks the questions, maybe asks more, then gets the answer she needs. She approaches things in a calm and collective way.
“Phoebe’s commitment and tenacity make her stand out. I remember, with one task, she was furious with herself because she was finding it difficult. I can see such determination in her and she has the attitude of ‘I’m going to do this no matter what!’. It’s been really great to watch and she’s probably one of the most impressive people I’ve worked with.”
On being asked the reasons why he feels Phoebe has progressed so quickly, Mark shared with us his thoughts on her attitude towards her work and studies:
“From observing, Phoebe has been quite independent. She’s tried to get as much information from the people around her to ensure she’s doing a good job. That’s been impressive to see, as some people may sit back and expect that information to come to them.
“Phoebe hasn’t done that, she’s been proactive. She’s come to me at times to get information, she speaks to the CEO and other managers around the office and that’s been really important for her progress.
“Her current role is case and point. Seeing someone trying so hard and achieving at the same time just makes you want to give them more opportunities and more chances of getting the next role. Sometimes, we open up job roles that maybe weren’t always even there. The aim is for apprentices to stay with us for forever really.”
Being the first apprentice at GSM Valtech, the news of Phoebe’s distinction illustrated the hard work and commitment given by all parties, with Mark sharing:
“It meant so much to the team and company when she achieved her Distinction. We were super proud of her, and it’s been great that we were able to help her get that.
“We’ve tried really hard to give her the support she needs, but it’s her determination that has got her to where she is.”
Seeing the value of apprenticeship programmes and sharing his thoughts on progression, Mark said:
“Phoebe has given us the confidence to be able to seek further apprentices and the majority we’ve since taken on are of a similar mindset. We’re in a position now where we’ve got some really good people on board.
“We want the people who come here as apprentices to be wanting to be the next managers and to work their way through the business. We want to make sure our relationships with our apprentices are solidly cemented.
“I’m from the workshop and that’s something we encourage. Those who have progressed from the workshop into other roles have the understanding of how things work. They can’t be told different and have that confidence. That’s a GSM thing and we’ve definitely applied it with Phoebe.”
Looking ahead to future apprenticeship opportunities with GSM Valtech, Mark shared with us what his ideal candidate would look like:
“In the past we’ve looked at people locally who have done manual jobs, but now we consider apprentices who are focussed on engineering specifically. I think that’s been the difference.
“We look for people who are confident, keen to make things and be part of a team. It’s important that someone has an engineering mindset and an interest technology. Engineering should be exciting to them.
“We have looked a lot more at apprenticeships since we took on Phoebe and she’s definitely inspired us. It’s important that we are helping to bring young people in and putting the time into it.
“To others considering taking on an apprentice, I’d say try it. Talk to colleges and ask them as much as you can. For me it was difficult to start with trying to understand what was required from us as a business but, in reality, it was very simple once everyone had bought into it. It’s been really good and I don’t know how else to express it other than to just tell people to try!”
To learn more about studying apprenticeships at York College, click here.
If you are an employer considering taking on an apprentice, click here.
