Today Team’s apprentice rewarded for target success

Our apprentice Jack Sherwood has won Today Team’s first ever company award for excellence – having achieved targets that support the delivery of great customer service.

In the short time that he has been with us, Jack has impressed our Managing Director Jamie Boyd by taking ownership of key administrative tasks, as well as using his initiative to bring in new business.

“Jack is an outstanding young man who has hit the ground running with Today Team,” said Jamie, who offered Jack a Business Administration Apprenticeship in March 2018.

“Everyone has a personal target to aim for, so whether they are based in sales, operations or support services, they know exactly how they contribute to our shared goals.

“Jack has topped our new Key Performance Indicator Board this month and deserves a very special ‘well done’; therefore, I was proud to present him with our first ever company award. I have no doubt that he has an extremely bright future ahead of him at Today Team.”

Newton-le-Willows resident Jack had previously been working as an apprentice with a tech company when funding for his post was cut. We were pleased to give him a lifeline in the form of a chance to join our award-winning team.

“I didn’t want to leave university feeling unsure of what to do next, so I applied for my first apprenticeship after completing my A-Levels at Priestley College,” said Jack, who is 20.

“I was gutted at the time when the funding was cut, but now I’m actually really happy it didn’t work out as I feel a real sense of belonging at Today Team. I can’t picture myself working anywhere else, as I am learning something new every day.”

Jack’s role involves opening the large volumes of post we receive, processing invoices for payment, scanning proofs of delivery and helping drivers with their queries. He recently showed great initiative by securing a new customer – having spotted an appeal for a ‘man with a van’ on Facebook.

“Jamie gave me a thank you card and a gift, which I really appreciated,” explained Jack, “but when you see him working so hard, you just want to do the same. He gave me a good firm handshake the first time we met, and we bonded over sport, as we’ve both done our knees in. I think of him as a colleague rather than a boss. In other places I have worked, I wouldn’t have asked a person of higher authority questions, but I feel like I can with Jamie. The fact that we won the CIPD People Management Award recently proves that not only does Jamie have a great company, but also that hard work really does pay off.”

One of the things Jack particularly likes about working for Today Team is having monthly access to Performance Coach Martin Robert Hall.
“Today Team is a company that helps you to work on bettering yourself – not just at work, but in your personal life too,” Jack said. “I play football for Vulcan FC and speaking to Martin has improved my confidence on the football field, as well as giving me a different perspective on – and attitude towards – work. We get a free breakfast every Friday and I have taken ownership of going to collect it. That’s one of our company values – ownership – and I find myself thinking about how I can demonstrate it.”

Riding high on his recent award win, Jack is now looking forward to continuing to achieve his personal targets while supporting his colleagues to do the same.

“Jamie presented me with my award at our stand-up meeting and I felt really honoured,” added Jack. “I get great support every day from my line manager, Dawn Bostock, as well as the rest of the team. We’re working together on generally improving the company and I am proud to be a part of that.”