Apprentice to bring fresh outlook for firm
A predominantly male industry has not put off Allen Signs’ newest recruit, 18-year-old Chloe Wiggs.
Wednesday, 29 Aug 2018 12:06 GMT
After weighing up her options, Chloe Wiggs decided an apprenticeship was the best route
Wiggs has joined the family-run sign firm as a sales and marketing executive, on an apprenticeship supported by the Grimsby Institute. She has already spent time shadowing finance director Helen Allen and learning administrative duties like invoicing with Leanne Crookes.
After weighing up the pros and cons, Wiggs decided to opt for an apprenticeship rather than a university degree. Learning that the sign industry is particularly male-dominated, this did not put off the young apprentice in pursuing a position.
She says: “I don’t think anything should be male dominated anymore, women can do an equally good job and I don’t see why more women shouldn’t get involved.”
Two weeks in, Wiggs is working on overhauling Allen Signs’ website to bring it up to date with new imagery and condensed content. She has her own Allen Signs Twitter account which she hopes to use to build up the company’s social media presence. At the moment, Allen Signs uses an external agency for marketing but with new apprentice Wiggs on board learning the ropes, the marketing could eventually be executed internally.
I don’t think anything should be male dominated anymore, women can do an equally good job and I don’t see why more women shouldn’t get involved”
Wiggs’ role will mainly involve working the company’s head office in Lincoln but some of her time will be spent on training courses to develop her skills as part of the sales and telesales apprenticeship course.
Keen to learn as much as she can, Wiggs hopes to complete her intermediate apprenticeship (Level 2) and pursue an advanced (Level 3) qualification next year. She hopes to stay with Allen Signs following completion of her apprenticeship.
She says: “[Allen Signs] have been very supportive and given me a great opportunity, so I’m looking forward to continuing working with them after my apprenticeship hopefully!”
How can sign companies encourage women to sign up for roles in the industry? Email me your thoughts at summer@linkpublishing.co.uk or reach us on Twitter to have your say.
