Our Apprentices support the delivery of our telephone advice service and community-based face-to-face outreach sessions. Upon completion of the Apprenticeships, they will have developed knowledge and expertise to support local people with impartial and confidential disability advice and information.
Over the year-long Apprenticeship, our Apprentices are provided with ongoing support and mentoring and attend regular tutorials. They also have a mentoring supervision every month to focus on their personal and professional development plan.
Meet Joe...
Joe started as an Apprentice Peer Advisor in October 2023. Since then, Joe has completed his DIAL Benefits Training, gained valuable hands-on experience from shadowing our Peer Advisors, and completed his year-long Apprenticeship hours.
We’re so pleased that Joe will be staying at DIAL in his new role as Welfare Benefits Support Assistant!
Joe's Story...
Before DIAL
Before joining DIAL, Joe studied Travel and Tourism at college. While on his course, he developed valuable customer service skills, which sparked his interest in working with people. After finishing his studies, Joe wasn’t sure what path to take next. When he saw the Apprenticeship opportunity at DIAL, he felt his customer service experience would be a great foundation for the role – and decided to apply.
Apprenticeship at DIAL
In October 2023, Joe started his Apprenticeship here at DIAL. His role included supporting our telephone Advice Line and community-based face-to-face outreach sessions. You may have met Joe whilst he was shadowing our team at outreach venues across Barnsley! Day to day, Joe assisted in filling in client forms, answered phone calls, and booked appointments. Throughout his Apprenticeship, he also received dedicated mentoring and guidance to support his growth both personally and professionally.
Joe also completed an additional 8-week benefits training. This gave him a strong understanding of the various types of welfare benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, and Universal Credit. Together with his hands-on experience during his Apprenticeship, this course meant that Joe gained the expertise needed to support local people with impartial and confidential disability advice and information.
It didn’t take long for Joe to feel at home at DIAL. Only a few months into his Apprenticeship, Joe realised that he had found a passion for supporting people with benefits advice and information! Joe said that had found a fulfilling career path that allowed him to make a real difference while continuing to learn and connect with new people.
The Future
After completing his Apprenticeship hours, Joe has joined the team as a Welfare Benefits Support Assistant. In his new role, he will support clients with welfare benefits forms over the phone and in person. Joe’s enthusiasm and dedication make him a fantastic addition to our team, and we’re thrilled to have him on board!
DIAL is a special place! Doing the Apprenticeship has already convinced me of what I want to do professionally and for a long time. Being able to work at DIAL giving advice and supporting people is really fulfilling. For me, the best part of being at DIAL is the people – both clients and colleagues. I’ve learnt so much from all of the people surrounding me at DIAL, and I’ve grown in many ways through my Apprenticeship.
