Yasemin is a Mobile Floor Captain at Anabas and is currently completing her Facilities Management Supervisor Level 3* qualification part-time with Grey Seal Academy. Learn about her apprenticeship journey with Anabas as she answers questions on her experience so far…

Why did you choose to do a facilities management apprenticeship?

Every job involves Facilities, even if it is just spotting an issue and raising it. Over time I have gained knowledge from doing the job first-hand, attending workshops and asking many questions to colleagues and managers. With an apprenticeship, I can learn even more and can continue to deliver the best service I can. I believe the apprenticeship will also help me to advance in my career.

What does your job involve?

I am the first point of call for our clients. I set up meeting rooms, distribute and send out post, do visual walk throughs, fix small issues and log jobs on our CAFM system that need to be completed by a skilled technician. I do this at 13 different sites in London; covering holidays, sickness and training and always ensuring that the client has a seamless service from start to finish.

What is the best thing about your job?

It’s never boring! No day is ever the same as I work at so many different sites and I have a diverse set of tasks that I get involved in. I love a challenge and feel my role equips me with relevant and useful knowledge to share with my colleagues in order to identify what is going well and how things could be improved.

What do you think of Anabas as an employer?

Anabas is a fantastic employer! I was attracted to them because of their core values; we‘re there for each other, improve what we do, deliver our promises and make our customers smile. They live up to all these values every day and have supported me to be my best self throughout my development plan. I think they need to change their last value though as it isn’t only the customers, they make smile…

What would you say was the biggest challenge in your apprenticeship so far?

Finding the time to complete my studying and meet with my trainer. I am booked to cover a site for a week at a time, and I take great pride in delivering the best service. At times, it can be difficult to complete my 8 hours of study.  However, I am fortunate enough to have an employer who is flexible to allow me to get the time to study, which also guarantees that I can meet with my trainers, who are very patient and understanding with my role and other responsibilities.

Would you recommend an apprenticeship to others?

Definitely. I feel a lot more confident, especially when I explain to a client what I’m doing or why I’m doing it; I tend to use more technical terms these days which the clients understand. It’s great that not everything is based within the classroom and I can get out on the floor to put into practice the knowledge and skills I’m gaining from my apprenticeship.

What would you say are the main benefits of doing an apprenticeship?

It has given me more confidence and knowledge which I can use and teach when I’m carrying out my role as a Mobile Floor Captain at multiple sites. The apprenticeship will also help me progress in Anabas, as they know they have someone that they can rely on.

How would you like your career to develop?

I would like to become  Health and Safety Manager at Anabas one day, as I am very passionate and interested in Health & Safety (H&S). Before embarking on a career as a  H&S Manager, I would like to be a Facilities Manager, as it would allow me to better understand what is required looking after sites and project work. I would also gain the experience of working with the site leads with an understanding from both sides.

What advice would you give to prospective apprentices considering going down the apprenticeship route?

The earlier you start, the better! If you are passionate about what you do, and you want to be great at what you do, then an apprenticeship is the way to go. It’s great, as you do the job first-hand, so you can give examples of real situations you have experienced, and it can prepare you for new situations as they arise.

Find out more information about our apprenticeships and other vacancies we have live here: www.anabas.co.uk/join-us/

* The Facilities Management Supervisor Apprenticeship is an 18-month programme that requires the learner to be competent in either Hard FM, Soft FM, Total or Integrated FM. The learner will showcase their skills in managing health and safety within their environment and implement risk assessment plans. They will also demonstrate that they can develop professional relationships within the workplace and solve day to day problems within service targets and contractual requirements.