Making a difference with jobs and skills for local communities
19 Jun 2024
Four colleagues share their experience of working at our University
Franca Imariagbe, Tom Healey, Katie Yates and Jeni Kongolo share their experience of working at the University with the Manchester Evening News, showing how we offer good quality work and job opportunities to people living in our neighbouring communities.
Our four featured colleagues work across the University in a range of roles, but all four joined us as an apprentice or through The Works.
Franca Imariagbe is a Teaching, Learning and Student Experience (TLSE) Support Assistant who joined our University through The Works. She said: “It is really rewarding knowing I am able to make a difference in a student's life. I speak five languages and it has helped a lot of students.
“It's a great place to be. I have come to the realisation The University of Manchester is a family culture. If you value teamwork then the University is the place to be.”
Tom Healey is an apprentice Laboratory Technician who began an apprenticeship in chemistry after discovering the University’s options.
“Science is the one thing I did enjoy at college,” he said. “This apprenticeship allowed me to pursue it in a more practical way. It is a really good alternative route.
Tom also added: “The support from line managers has been immense. The whole idea with apprentices is you have your knowledge, skills and behaviours like team building, working independently, and public speaking.”
Katie Yates began a Higher Education Technician apprenticeship after college, a university psychology course and a job.
“I wanted to try something different, to find the job I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” she said. “From being at university and learning that it wasn’t for me, choosing an apprenticeship is something I regret not doing sooner.
“The personal development is amazing. It helps guide you in which way you want to go. Doing an apprenticeship is very different - there are open apprenticeships where you can finish one and do another, you are not limited in what you can do.”
Jeni Kongolo, an apprentice Laboratory Technician, has ADHD. “I definitely felt supported and very comfortable talking about my ADHD and about my struggles. They provided any help I needed. I feel forever grateful.
“I am not sure what I want to do in the future, but the programme I am doing as a degree apprenticeship will help me figure it out. The skills learned are not narrow - it's a breadth of skills and good to use in different areas. They give me the confidence to further my education in general.”
More information
Find out more about the benefits of working at our University:
A range of roles and opportunities are available: