After leaving school at 16, Ashington-born Emma Allison initially took a Saturday job as a hairdresser.
Fast-forward five years, and Emma has been appointed to oversee Quora Group’s rapidly expanding Apprenticeship Scheme, with the 22-year-old visiting schools and colleges to inspire students and support the company’s plans to recruit six new candidates each year.
And Emma admits she “did a little scream” upon learning Quora Group had been named regional winner of the Government-backed National Apprenticeship and Skills Award.
“It feels surreal – to go from being an apprentice myself to now helping shape the next generation is something I’m really proud of,” said Emma.
“The award is just the icing on the cake.”
Launched in 2005, Quora Group has grown into one of the region’s leading providers of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services.
The company’s growth has seen turnover double in just five years, with apprenticeships playing a key role – currently the North Shields company counts almost a dozen among their staff members.
Applications for apprenticeships have soared by 500 per cent in the last year alone, in part due to Emma’s role as Apprentice Ambassador in which she “demystifies” the role of an apprentice in schools and college – all while pursuing her own university degree.
“I didn’t grow-up with money, so as I left school I wanted to go straight into work. I worked everywhere from a hairdresser to the NHS, but I’ve always wanted more from a career and to eventually be a manager – and that’s why Quora Group has been perfect,” she added.
“I started a Business Admin apprenticeship before joining the HR department last summer. My manager’s goal is to train me up so I can run the department in the future”.
“Alongside that, I’ve been able to start a Chartered Managers Degree Apprenticeship, with the potential option of doing a master’s degree afterwards.
“Nobody from my family has ever studied at university, so these are opportunities I didn’t even dream about.”
“People now approach me from the outreach work I do at schools and colleges and tell me how inspired they’ve been and a part of that is because of the area I’m originally from, nobody is used to having these opportunities – but I’m proof that they exist and apprenticeships can help you achieve that.”