Martin Wall

Martin Wall, Facilities Manager at Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford - Apprenticeship case study
Facilities Project Manager
Bodleian Libraries

Type of Apprenticeship: Level 5 Operations / departmental manager

Start date: October 2017

End date: December 2020

  1. Which Apprenticeship based training have you completed? Which department are you doing this in?
    I have completed the OCR Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Management and Leadership. I began the journey while in The Department of Chemistry and was lucky enough to be allowed to complete it after I transitioned here to the Bodleian Libraries in February 2020. 
     
  2. Why did you choose to do Apprenticeship-based training?
    After learning about the scope of the courses it seemed an ideal opportunity to formalise my experiences in past posts while giving me the theoretical knowledge and experiences to grow and develop a higher level of understanding in senior management techniques. 
     
  3. What qualifications did you have before applying for your Apprenticeship course? Did you have to undertake any other qualifications before starting this course?
    I left school before my sixteenth birthday and Obtained Seven C.S.E.s and three O Levels. As these were classed as “old currency” I had to retake my Maths and English fundamentals (GCSE’s equivalent) to qualify for the Level 5 course. My previous highest qualification came at the end of my “first apprenticeship” where I qualified as a maintenance electrician with Austin Rover (now BMW Mini) I gained a BTEC Ordinary National Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. 
     
  4. How did you find out about your Apprenticeship?
    I attended one of the Work Learn Develop seminars at the John Radcliffe Hospital one morning on my way in to work. After reading about the initiative in the University bulletins.
     
  5. What have you gained from your Apprenticeship – skills, experience etc.?
    I have gained the knowledge that you can’t underestimate the power of research. I have learnt how to search and find out the information required to support the challenges that have been presented to me. I have learnt the value of networks, and tapping in to your previous experiences to help you navigate the tasks we are all faced with day to day. It has been great to give a grounding to my experiences and relate to where certain practises we take for granted originate from. The study of certain theorists and models for business and human behaviour has been eye opening. 
     
  6. What has been your proudest moment so far from doing your Apprenticeship?
    Perseverance, I’m proud of the support and strength I have been able to summon during this journey, it’s taken me three years, and two jobs to get across the line but the sense of achievement is quite uplifting. 
     
  7. What do you plan to do next? / What are you doing now?
    I plan to enjoy the achievement, I will use the skills I’ve picked up to help me do my job to the best of my ability. I like the idea of working in a diverse and wide scoping environment and it’s one of my aspirations to work in each of the Universities Divisions if possible… I’m currently the Facilities Project Manager for the Bodleian Libraries, this means I have two divisions under my belt and four to go…!
     
  8. How will your/has your Apprenticeship helped you to achieve this?
    My apprenticeship has given me the academic support that reinforces my practical experiences and has made me a more rounded professional. 
     
  9. What advice would you give someone who might be thinking about Apprenticeship-based training to progress their career?
    I would tell them to grasp the opportunity firmly. Don’t put too much focus on what you’re doing now, more how the apprenticeship can help you open doors to achieve future aspirations or career goals. 
     
  10. What advice would you give a manager who is considering Apprenticeship-based training for their employee?
    My experiences have shown you gain huge satisfaction from seeing a fellow employee thrive. When they’re given the chance to shine there is no better testimonial to your management and leadership skills. It will pay you back in time and demonstrate to everyone you have the maturity and gift to develop talent which will in turn attract new talent to your charge. 

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