Pictured: From the left, Alison Nugent, Jo Sinar and Lucy
Murch at Brindley Twist Tafft and James
When Alison Nugent joined a leading Coventry solicitors at the
age of 16, she never imagined she would stay for more than a
quarter of a century.
The 43-year-old joined Brindley Twist Tafft and James, which is
now based in Lowick Gate, Siskin Drive, as an office junior in
April 1985.
Alison initially worked in the conveyancing, probate and
commercial department and through hard work and skill, she moved
into the accounts department in the late 1980s.
She has remained in the department ever since and is now head
legal cashier as she prepares to mark her 27th anniversary with the
firm.
While Alison is one of the longest-serving employees, one of
Brindley Twist Tafft and James' newest recruits is business and
administration apprentice Lucy Murch.
The 19-year-old secured three distinctions in her National
Diploma in Equine Management at Moreton Morrell Agricultural
College but after deciding on a career change, she successfully
applied for a business and administration apprenticeship with the
long-established solicitors.
Jo Sinar, office manager at Brindley Twist Tafft and James, said
the path taken by both women was an endorsement for the importance
of the 100 in 100 campaign being run by the Coventry and
Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the National
Apprenticeship Service.
The project has been launched to encourage 100 companies and
organisations to take on 100 apprentices in 100 days in a bid to
reduce unemployment and improve skills in the region.
"Alison and Lucy are at different stages of their careers but
apprenticeships and on the job training have played a vital role
for both of them," Jo said.
"The role of apprentices has changed over the years but Alison
was given an opportunity which she took and through studying and
commitment to the firm, she gained promotions to her current
position.
"Lucy is at the start of her employment with us but she has
already shown that she is a capable and determined to succeed and
it is important everyone learns the basics skills of their job
before aiming for more managerial positions.
"We take apprenticeships very seriously because they offer young
people an excellent opportunity to take the first step on the
career ladder and it allows us to train people in the way we want
them to progress in a structured manner.
"It also leads to loyalty - as exemplified by Alison - to
Brindley Twist Tafft and James which is exactly what we hope to
achieve so that our clients receive the benefit of their
training."