DEBI Apprentices bring a fresh approach to the team

Lewis Anderson (pictured above)
 

Lewis, tell us a bit about your background and what you did before you came to work at Borders College?

I am 19 years old, live in Earlston. Went to Earlston primary & high school. I finished school (due to COVID) in March 2020, I then got a job at Home Bargains during lockdown in May. I worked at home bargains for 8/9 months until I got my apprenticeship with the college earlier this year in March.

Describe how you are getting on with your SVQ – are you enjoying it? What are the best and worst bits?

So far my SVQ has been going well, I've been enjoying collating the evidence and working closely with my assessors. The best bit about it is it allows you to reflect on all the work you have been doing as you go through it, it allows you to identify problems you may encounter whilst you’re working and find solutions so you are well prepared. The worst bit is ensuring you have enough detail in your descriptions and making sure I meet all of the criteria.

What’s the best/most useful thing you have learned since you started this job?

The best/most useful thing I have learnt since I started this job is it is important to ensure all tasks are completed in detail and to always ask if I am unsure about any work I am doing.

Tell us a bit about what you enjoy doing outside work?

Outside of work I enjoy playing football, I currently play for Earlston Rhymers amateur team, and I also enjoy coaching football to primary school kids. I also enjoy going out with my friends to the pubs, watching football and doing other things outdoor.

What do you hope to achieve over the next 5 years? (World peace? Net-zero emissions? Get a dog? It could be anything)

Over the next 5 years, I'm hoping to progress with my apprenticeship, hopefully completing further qualifications. I also hope to buy my own car and move into my own flat.

Tell us something about yourself that no one at work knows (and you don’t mind being shared)?

One thing nobody knows about me at the college is I lived in Australia for a month when I was younger.

Ryan Murdie (pictured above)
 

Tell us a bit about your background and what you did before you came to work at Borders College?

Before I came to work at Borders College, I was a student…at Borders College. I studied NC Computing at level 5 with the wor … I mean best lecturers I have ever had. I got the chance to produce software applications, cool videos and even a freaking video game. It was called Defend the Spaceship. No points for guessing what you had to do. I was also a Disability Officer in our Students Association and played a major role in improving the lives of disabled students here at the college.

Describe how you are getting on with your SVQ – are you enjoying it? What are the best and worst bits?

I’m doing well. My favourite part is the fact that you’re not stuck in a classroom and you’re actually doing things for real. You get an insight into how companies like the college actually work which as an MA with no previous employment, is extremely valuable. You get everything, the deadlines, the excitement, the stress when something doesn’t go well, annual leave, lunch breaks. But that can also be a challenge. As you are not in a classroom, it’s easy to forget that you’re here to do a qualification as you are so immersed in the world of work.

What’s the best/most useful thing you have learned since you started this job?

Expand your horizons. Before I came here, I was all in on the media industry specifically video and radio. Even though, this role had nothing to do with the media, I wanted to get experience working in a full-time job and also try something different. So I applied the day before applications closed and it was a good decision to say the least. I’m getting what I asked from this role and so much more. Delivering courses to students across the country, whether they’re wanting to learn a fun new skill or get a license for their new job is so rewarding. I’m rambling as always. The moral of the story, follow your gut. If you see something that you’re interested in, go for it! Otherwise, you will never know what’s on the other side of the tunnel. If you don’t give, you don’t receive, simple as that.

Tell us a bit about what you enjoy doing outside work?

My main interests are radio, video production and gaming when I have the time. I do a lot of cool things outside of work. I produce the Connected show on TD9 Radio. Connected is a local show that revolves entirely around Young People with a focus on promoting their skills, talents and highlighting opportunities that are available. I’m also the line cook for Edinburgh City Football Club TV (ECFC TV). Not the one Gordon Ramsay would be proud of but the one who creates and applies all the graphics and publishes their videos online.

What do you hope to achieve over the next 5 years? (World peace? Net-zero emissions? Get a dog? It could be anything)

To be completely honest, I would love to go back to Florida. My family and have been there a few times and absolutely loved it. Especially, Disneyworld and Universal Studios. Getting to meet Chewbacca and in real life never gets old and who doesn’t love the one and only Mickey Mouse. Meeting Men In Black agents is just as fun as well. I would also love to go to Japan, I’m very nerdy and have always loved Japan’s weird and wonderful culture. I mean, have you seen their toilets. I would like to go to Italy as well and eat lots of Pizza.

Tell us something about yourself that no one at work knows (and you don’t mind being shared)?

Well, I sleep with a ventilator. This comes with advantages and disadvantages. You have air blowing in your face all night, that’s a good thing. When it works, you actually get a good’s night’s sleep and when it doesn’t, you are essentially zombies out of Minecraft. Bruce Springsteen is my favourite singer. If you want your party to be that little bit weirder, I can play Fruit Salad by The Wiggles on guitar. I can play Tougher Than The Rest by Bruce Springsteen along with some very bad singing if you need a love song, Rhinestone Cowboy, Highland Cathedral and many more.

We are really pleased to have welcomed Lewis and Ryan to the team and hope they continue to enjoy working with Borders College.