Case Studies

Oakes Energy Services Ltd

The Brief

Oakes Energy Services Limited sought a training programme for Curtis Simpson, providing essential business skills for collaborative work. They aimed to integrate these skills with a vocational qualification.

Our Approach

Citrus Training has a specifically designed set of apprenticeship programmes that are tailored to the construction and built environment sectors. We understand that there is a gap in the market for these types of qualifications that can be used directly and are proven efficient and high-quality in the industry.

We have a dedicated Apprentice Division, which means that delegates can start their programmes smoothly in conjunction with their roles. 

Why did you choose this course?

"I chose to pursue this apprenticeship to advance my career and become a better manager. The skills I've learned on this course not only benefit me in my job but also in my everyday life. The course covers a wide range of management styles and techniques, as well as delving into finance and the economics of business."

How did you find the sign up process?

"When I applied for the course, I was initially apprehensive about E-learning, but I was completely wrong; there are so many benefits. From my first Teams interview, where I was greeted by Chloe, I was put at ease. Everyone, from the tutors to the mentors, was friendly and incredibly helpful from the beginning. With the course being online, it allowed me to work from wherever was convenient, whether that was in the office or from a job site. You are given full access to all the course resources online in the easy-to-navigate OneFile, and all the sessions are recorded for you to refer back to when required. When completing your online portfolio, there is always someone marking your work and providing feedback, ensuring you can achieve your highest potential."

Fitting the course around your day-to-day role

"Being a Project Engineer, I am always busy and on the move. This meant collecting my evidence came naturally, whether it was shadowing in meetings or attending CPD events to keep up with new industry standards and procedures. But I would like to give a special mention to my employer, Oakes Energy Services Ltd. Without the team being so helpful and supportive, I think the apprenticeship would have been a lot more stressful. In addition to the Oakes team being so supportive, my Citrus mentors have also supported and guided me in the right direction for me to achieve my full potential."

How would you describe the support you received?

"The apprenticeship team has been fantastic throughout my whole apprenticeship. Chloe has been my mentor, and she has always been there for anything I've needed. We schedule reviews throughout the course. During these check-ins, she would ask how I'm doing on the course and if I needed help, but also about my general health and well-being.

If I could highlight my top 3 best things about the programme, they would be:

• The feedback from each assignment handed in was a big help, just knowing what standard you're currently at and how to improve so that you can achieve higher.
• The flexibility of the online platform; you can participate in all lectures no matter where you are, as long as you have internet access.
• The mentoring, knowing that you're always just a phone call or an email away from someone who is willing and happy to help you, no matter what the problem."

How is this going to / how has it benefited your career?

"The course has benefited me greatly; the new skills I have learned have improved my capabilities as a manager. I started this course with little management experience or knowledge, but throughout the learning process, understanding different theories and practices has given me confidence when tackling new challenges.

Halfway through the course, I took a new position at Oakes Energy Services Ltd as a Project Engineer. In this role, I am in charge of a team of engineers and responsible for managing the projects they deliver. None of this would have been possible without the qualifications I have achieved with the help of the team at Citrus."

Would you recommend this course to others?

"I would definitely recommend Citrus Training. This is not an easy course by any means, but if you are looking to progress in Management and you have a basic understanding of IT skills, this is definitely the most convenient and flexible way of achieving your goals. The team and lecturers are all very knowledgeable and willing to help you succeed."

The result

Curtis is due to sit his final end-point assessment in March.

Testimonial

‘‘I just want to add a huge thank you to everyone who’s been involved in my training: Andy Hallet, John French, Chloe Harris, Dan Short, Evie McGarrigle. You’ve all been amazing throughout; and to my team at Oakes Energy Services LTD for the continued support throughout.’