Just a quick one.

Hi guys,

I don’t have much to tell you apprenticeship wise this week; I was on annual leave celebrating my 21^st birthday.

I do want to share news of some things looming on the horizon, including an upcoming event that may be of interest to you all.

With my apprenticeship coming to a close, my Director really wants me to focus on the DiVA Inspire segment, over the next 3 months. Designed to help motivate and inspire young people. I have been itching to get my teeth into this, but I’ve found it hard to give it the attention it deserves whilst juggling all my other work.

I’m going to try and reduce my work so that I can push on with this exciting project. Juggling tasks is a skill you need to learn for any job, it can be overwhelming at times but practice makes perfect.

So, fingers crossed, we will have some exciting interviews in the diary. Something to inspire you all.

Moving on, for all you film fanatics, I have something exciting for you. The East End Film Festival kicked off earlier this week and is one of the UK’s largest film festivals. It presents a rich and diverse programme of international premieres, industry masterclasses, free pop-up screening and immersive live events. It will be running until the 10^th July so make sure you get in on the action.

Hope this short and sweet post proved to be useful.

Until next time. 

Follow me on twitter - @SeleneShaw_Diva 

FaceBook - Selene Shaw (Selene Diva)

For the latest apprenticeships visit our website

Facing my fears...

Hi guys :)

As mentioned previously, last week I attended an apprenticeship fair at Chelmsford College and sat on a panel for a Youth Employment Convention, here's an update for you on how that went. 

Chelmsford Apprenticeship Fair 

It was an early start for me as I had to be in Chelmsford for 9am. Luckily, my Mummy gave me a lift so I didn't have to lug all my marketing materials around with me. Thank goodness for mums. 

When I arrived, the college was buzzing with students. I set up our stall and spent the day discussing the ins and outs of creative apprenticeships and how they can help you get your foot in the door. A lot of people think apprenticeships only apply to trades like plumbing and carpentry. The fair gave me a great opportunity to explain what DiVA do, many were surprised creative apprenticeships even existed.

I was able to spread a little DiVA light on the subject, and there was real interest from both the young people and their parents.

The next day I attended the Youth Employment Convention at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. I was invited to sit on a panel to discuss Higher Apprenticeships alongside Carole Carson, Chief Executive, Babington College and Paul Fothergill, Director of Education and Skills, PWC. Tim Dawkins, Director of Business Development, NCFE chaired the panel.

Youth Employment Convention - Tim Dawkins 

I may have mentioned in previous posts my dislike of public speaking. This was the first time I'd spoken on a panel and I'm pleased to say I wasn't too nervous. Since working with DiVA and doing a fair bit, I'm beginning to enjoy it. After practising my questions and answers with my Managing Director numerous times (practice makes perfect), I felt prepared.
I was really confident answering my questions in front of the audience, discussing how apprenticeships can benefit young people and how I ended up on the apprenticeship route. The audience were really engaged and I got quiet the round of applause once I'd finished.

I definitely think I've conquered my fear of public speaking. Yay me.

As always, it's been a pleasure guys.

Follow me on twitter - @SeleneShaw_Diva 

FaceBook - Selene Shaw (Selene Diva)

For the latest apprenticeships visit our website

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) Round Up.

My very first NAW is all done and dusted. What a hectic week is was. 

For those of you who don't know (where have you been?!) 
NAW is a nationwide celebration of Apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, business and the economy. 

DiVA Employer Open Morning

Kick starting the week was our very own Employer Event held at Channel 4. Like apprentices, employers can be confused about how apprenticeships work. We solve their problem by breaking down the process in simple terms. We also introduce them to an apprentice or two.

Sadly our guest (apprentice) speakers fell ill so I had to step in at like no notice. Thankfully, I was more nervous about people not turning up to my first employer event than I was at speaking. So me and my unprepared self winged it. I entertained our guests with stories about what my journey had been like so far, how my training has helped me and my day to day life; long story short, I think I did pretty well. Many wished me luck at the end and asked to keep in contact. 
We had a good turnout with companies such as Creative Skillset, The Princes Trust and Islington Council represented.

Simon Devereux and Nathan Patience

Big thanks to Simon Devereux, People Development Specialist at Channel 4 for hosting us (you might have seen his picture on the London Underground).


Next up... Woolwich Careers Fair which took place at Charlton Football club.

Charlton Football Grounds

Organised by the Job Centre the event brought together companies like DiVA face-to-face with young people interested in training and apprenticeships. DiVA (as usual) were the only Media related company there.

The staff at the Job Centre were very pleased to have us; we had people queuing for our stand and I hadn't even set up yet.

Arit Eminue at the Woolwich Careers Fair

This time, I had an apprentice... my Director Arit Eminue. We decided to job swap (more about that later).

I think it's fair to say my Director had a harsher approach than me, quizzing people and re-writing their CV on the spot. Though the advice was valuable and witnessing it was rather humorous I suggested being a tad more gentler. 

Towards the end she really enjoyed it and many people interested in what we do asked whether they could stay in contact. Plus we got a load of sign ups to our mailing list.

Back at the office I swapped jobs with Arit.

Arit Eminue and Selene Shaw

Selene Shaw at Arit's Desk

She really got into being me - she even wore my glasses. I sent out emails and took phone calls on her behalf to get a feel of what she deals with on a daily basis. I must admit I enjoyed sitting in the lead DiVA chair and being in charge of the office.

#TAKEOVER 2 at Channel 4

Next up... #TAKEOVER 2 - an event organised by Channel 4 Apprentices fro wanna be apprentices. The apprentices showcased a film they made as well as a panel of represent and graduate apprentices for the audience to ask questions and network.

Personally, I think it is really important to hear from and talk to your fellow apprentices; you both are experiencing the same thing and it's a good way to share stories, offer advice and tips and even talk about times when you find things difficult. It was comforting and inspiring hearing their stories and seeing how finishing their apprenticeship has benefited them. This drew our activities for the week to a close and it was such a good event to end on.

Overall I think it's safe to say NAW went well and we did our fair bit to help get apprenticeships noticed. Yay for Team DiVA. So until next time.

Keep and eye out for our video documenting my job swap and NAW. 

Follow me on twitter - @SeleneShaw_Diva 

FaceBook - Selene Shaw (Selene Diva)

For the latest apprenticeships visit our website