Wiltshire apprentice kick-starts her career with Aster Group

Vikki Butler, 25, from Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, was selected to take part in a three year apprenticeship programme with Aster Group which will see her qualify as a fully accredited gas safety engineer at the end of her course.

Currently spending one day a week at Salisbury College, Vikki is working towards her level two plumbing accreditation and combines on the job training with classroom based learning.

Vikki said: “I was so pleased to be selected to take part in Aster’s apprenticeship programme and I’m over the moon to be given the tools I need for my course which are worth over £100, by one of our suppliers PHC Parts.

“I was planning to buy some of the pieces included in the toolkit, but having them given to me is a huge help.

“I’m really lucky to have the opportunity to develop a career instead of just a job and I hope to be able to secure a permanent role with Aster once I’m fully qualified.”

Karin Gibbs-Warne, from Aster, comments: “Our apprenticeship scheme is a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn new skills and to get some real hands-on experience.

“Vikki has been so willing and eager to learn and she is a great example of how apprenticeships give young people the chance to start out in a career they are really interested in.”

Daniel O’Hara, from PHC Parts, said: “The commitment that Aster has made to providing apprenticeships and training to the next generation is invaluable and we are very pleased to be working with them.”

Aster, which employs 345 people in Wiltshire provided apprenticeships last year in a variety of roles from customer services, business administration  to skilled trades such as electrical and plumbing, as well as trainee surveyor and digital skills roles.

If you’re interested in our apprenticeship opportunities, click here to find out more.

National Apprenticeship Week runs from 5 – 9 March 2018.