A 20-YEAR-OLD hospital administrator is encouraging her peers to consider apprenticeships after a chance online encounter kick started her career.

Maisy Bowen, from Cwmbran, was searching online for jobs when an advert by training provider People Plus, promoting apprenticeships at St Joseph’s Hospital in Newport, caught her attention.

Ms Bowen said: “I’d not long finished sixth-form and was working in retail in Cwmbran. I did go and visit universities when I was in sixth-form but I realised I’d prefer to work than go to university.

“There wasn’t a lot of discussion about apprenticeships. I think there was still the perception that they were only for hairdressers and beauticians. I didn’t know about apprenticeships in administration.

Apprenticeships are jobs that include gaining nationally recognised qualifications and essential skills while you are working and earning a wage.

Anyone who is over 16, living in Wales and not in full-time education can apply.

Ms Bowen started working at St Joseph’s Hospital in October 2016. She completed her level 2 NVQ qualification in Business Administration a year later and was offered a permanent, full-time administrative role at the hospital.

She said: “I started as an administrative apprentice and now I’m a service advisor. I work on main reception and deal with patients coming in for procedures, handling customer bookings, payments and preparing clinics for the following day.

“It was a big learning curve going from retail to administration. It’s all customer service but obviously they’re different environments so it was a big change, but it’s been really enjoyable. I’ve been supported during my apprenticeship and guided in the right direction.

“I really enjoy it because every day is different. I like dealing with people face-to-face. I’d hate to be in an administrative job where I was stuck in a back office on my own.”

“Apprenticeships can take you anywhere. It’s perfect for people who prefer hands on practical work and gain qualifications at the same time.”