Source Apprentice shortlisted for regional award

24th April 2017

Apprentice Daniel Roberts, 23 from Topcars of Sheffield has successfully made the shortlist for the 2017 North Midlands and South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards.

Daniel is studying a Level 3 Marketing Apprenticeship in Sheffield at The Source Academy and was recently announced as a finalist for -Sheffield's Apprentice of the Year at the new NMSY Apprenticeship Awards. Having been on programme for just under a year, Daniel has made immense progress at Topcars and thanks to an understanding and supportive employer, Director Tony Singh, he has been able to introduce and implement systems and marketing techniques which has enabled the business to be more competitive. Tony says, -An apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to bring fresh blood into my company. When I was looking to bring someone in, I wanted someone young who could keep on top of new marketing techniques to help bring the business in-line with our competitors. An apprenticeship was ideal because it allowed me to get this, but also to find someone who didn't have industry experience allowing me to mould and shape them to what I needed for my business. I never expected I would get an apprentice of the calibre of Dan. From his interview he showed he was enthusiastic and driven and had keen interest and love for marketing which he has brought to his role at Topcars. Although he is now on his way to becoming an accomplished marketer, Marketing was not the path Daniel thought his career would take. From a young age he dreamt of becoming a pilot in the RAF, climbing the ranks as an air cadet, earning the highest possible rank and receiving a prestigious award from the Lord Lieutenant and a scholarship to learn to fly solo. When he became old enough to join the RAF he unfortunately found out his eyesight wasn't to the required standard to be an RAF pilot and his dreams were shattered. He secured a place at university to study Aerospace Engineering, an alternative route into the air force but after two years he took a change of direction into Marketing. Daniel explains, -I'd started working outside of my studies and I realised I really enjoyed business and marketing. I spent my time researching marketing and fell out of love with my degree. I worked in a couple of marketing related jobs, but then found the apprenticeship with Topcars. -It was a very difficult time for me when I found out I couldn't be a pilot in the RAF and not knowing where I wanted to be instead but I can still fly and I have my pilots licence and my apprenticeship has helped me to confirm my love for marketing and it's the career for me. Commenting on his place as an award finalist, Daniel said, -Being shortlisted is a real honour and I feel proud that my achievements have been recognised as a finalist. I hope that others can see what I've achieved, and how I've got to where I am and take something from it whether it's looking at an apprenticeship from leaving school or considering a career change. The award winners will be announced in May and will celebrate the hardworking individuals and organisations involved in apprenticeships across the region. As well as Sheffield's Apprentice of the Year, the awards will also recognise apprentices in Barnsley, Chesterfield, Doncaster and Rotherham and also Employer of the Year categories.