Discover how Craig Pascoe's volunteering experience has not only supported the community but also enriched his apprenticeship, providing him with invaluable leadership skills.
At HSBC, volunteering, fundraising, and community engagement are strongly encouraged, much like at many other employers. We also encourage all our apprentices to volunteer, as it helps them gain additional skills in a different environment while giving back to the community.
We spoke with Kaplan apprentice, Craig Pascoe, about his rewarding and career-developing volunteering experience.
Could you tell us about your career so far?
I've been with HSBC for 11 years now, primarily as a Relationship Manager, handling a portfolio of business and commercial customers. Before that, I did a similar role at another bank for about five years. Throughout my career, I've pursued internal studies and completed my Applied Diploma in Corporate Banking. Numbers have always fascinated me, so I was drawn to the accountancy side of things.
Before transitioning into my current role within credit, I considered self-funding the CIMA qualification. I attended a Kaplan Zoom session where an HSBC colleague spoke about the apprenticeship programme. Intrigued, I reached out to him, and he shared his positive experience. So I then applied and went through the onboarding process with Kaplan.
Since starting the apprenticeship, the various modules, online lessons, and assessments have significantly enhanced my learning, governance, and strategic thinking skills.
What made you opt for an apprenticeship?
The apprenticeship programme is a triple investment from my perspective. It's HSBC supporting my personal development, it's helping me to get to where I want to go within my career, and it's an ongoing learning journey - every day is a school day.
I want to challenge myself and stand out in a competitive world. After spending long periods in similar roles and finding it difficult to get promotions, I realised the need to invest in myself.
Employers like HSBC, who fully support the apprenticeship programme, foster immense employee engagement. It’s a hidden benefit that doesn't show up in your pay packet but is invaluable in the long run, contributing to my desire to stay with the bank.
Why did you start volunteering?
I was looking for ways to gain further leadership and governance experience. Within the bank, I hadn't had the opportunity to directly manage someone or lead a team, and that was unlikely to change in the short term.
How did you get started?
Encouraged to take ownership of my personal development, I approached the local school where my children had attended to see if they needed new governors and if my skills would benefit them. After sharing my CV and meeting the existing and incoming chairs, I was nominated and elected to the board.
What experience have you gained from volunteering?
Since joining the board, I have served as Chair of the Business Audit and Risk Committee and Vice Chair. I was recently re-elected for a second term.
Although time-consuming, this experience has been incredibly beneficial. I've learned from a diverse range of individuals working in public and private sectors in various positions. This diversity brings multiple perspectives, which has been invaluable in effectively challenging the school and highlighting the benefits of having a diverse board.
Additionally, I've gained valuable experience in strategic decision-making and enhanced my leadership skills through areas such as:
- Procurement projects
- Reviewing policy documents and strategic plans
- Assessing risk registers
- Challenging and holding senior management accountable
- Handling complaints, panels for permanent exclusions, pay reviews and appeals
- Ensuring a balanced budget while providing a safe and open environment for students.
How does this experience tie in with your studies?
Volunteering has allowed me to give back to the community and the school while developing myself at the same time. This experience has provided opportunities to develop in areas my current role couldn’t. Elements within the CIMA modules have “come to life”, helping me demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required during the apprenticeship.
Can you give an example of a positive change the school has seen from the input of the governors?
From a governor's perspective, our diverse board includes individuals from banking, finance, council, and education sectors. This diversity ensures challenging questions are asked and decisions are made for the benefit of all current and future students.
For example, we focused on COVID catch-up funding to encourage children back to school. Instead of being cautious with spending and worrying about inflationary pressures, we invested in initiatives like breakfast clubs to support students from all backgrounds, creating a welcoming environment. We also prioritised fixed asset improvements based on teacher feedback, aiding in forecasting and budgeting.
These efforts have made the school a preferred choice in the local community, increasing enrolment and funding.
Would you recommend volunteering to other apprentices?
Absolutely. Although it may be time-consuming, volunteering has been a valuable investment of my time, both for my development and for giving back to the community, especially the school my children attended. Any apprentice would have valuable skills to offer as a school governor or trustee, and you don’t have to be a parent to volunteer for a governing body.
Could anyone, even if not a parent, be a useful governor?
Definitely. If I had thought about it 17 years ago, I might not have put myself forward, but schools are always looking for new governors, and it’s a great way to gain experience and enhance your CV.
It’s not just schools; communities, local sports clubs, and small charities also need board members. Volunteering opens your eyes to new experiences and helps you develop strategic thinking, a skill that's beneficial for your career.
Before we go, what are your top three tips for other apprentices?
- Stay consistent in your efforts.
- Don’t be afraid to get outside your comfort zone and make mistakes.
- Enjoy it, and make the most of the experience.
Interested in an apprenticeship?
If you think an apprenticeship might be the right fit for you, have a look at our apprenticeship programmes to see if there’s one that would suit you. If you’re already employed, find out more about how to discuss starting an apprenticeship with your employer.
Employers can also learn more about our apprenticeship offerings by contacting our team for further details.