Business apprentice Josh wins promotion to general manager role at leading events company

: Created: 29 May 2019

Josh Wade, 22 from Sidcup, first came to the College in March 2017 when he attended an open event. Initially, he came looking for information about one of our AAT programmes but after a chat with recruitment consultant Lavender Brown from our Apprenticeship team, it wasn’t long before he was in post as an apprentice office supervisor.

Hen and Stag events - as their name suggests - is a highly successful events company catering for hen and stag parties. They arrange trips and activities that cater for a wide range of tastes from German-style bar crawls and costume play (or Cosplay) to afternoon teas, life drawing or dance classes, lip-sync battles, pamper parties and of course striptease performances (both male and female).

“It’s a brilliant job”, says Josh, “and I’ve really enjoyed working here. No two days are the same and each different set of clients have their very own unique requests and ideas for their ideal hen and stag parties.

“It’s the type of work that requires you to have lots of ideas and creativity - as well as an open mind. You have to remember you are dealing with people who are looking for something memorable for their best friends prior to their forthcoming nuptials.”

Since being promoted, Josh has recruited two new staff himself - one of whom (Emily) is also an apprentice from the College. Over the next few months, Josh will be recruiting for a further two apprentices to help him run his very busy office - they are currently organising over one hundred events each week.

Josh continues:“I’ve been in this post for the past six months and I aim to make it a massive success. In fact, I am looking at doubling our turnover next year and this means expansion. Currently we employ nearly 2,000 part-time and self-employed staff and contractors and we deal with some of the biggest special events agencies in the country.

“Without joining London South East Colleges and becoming an apprentice, I doubt I would have been able to make it as far as I have in such a short time. Having left sixth form well before taking my A Level exams, I was without a good level 3 qualification and in need of a job to pay my rent. This apprenticeship meant I could do both at the same time and it has all worked out very well.

“A big thanks to my tutors, my assessor and of course to this great company who have given me the chance to prove myself.”

If you think you have what it takes to a make successful career in the events management, business and administration professions, we’d like to hear from you. We have a great range of courses and apprenticeship opportunities to get you started. Come along to one of our open events.

If you are an employer and would like to find out more about taking on an apprentice, please click here.

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