After deciding that university wasn’t for him and dropping out after six months, Fern Church never thought in his wildest dreams that he would be running his own company before the age of 30.
But that is exactly what the 28-year-old is doing after launching Think Local PR, based in Swansea, following a successful transition into apprenticeship training with the support of Cambrian Training Company.
After his early exit from his Graphic Design degree, Fern worked as a butcher, kitchen porter and housekeeper before his passion for design drew him back into the industry through vocational learning with a large leaflet design, print and distribution company.
“I started the Level 2 IT User apprenticeship and within six years I was running a large multi-media marketing business which I never thought I would be capable of when I started,” said Fern.
He continued his work-based training which fuelled his rise to the top of the company before winning Wales Next Generation Leader Award convinced him to go it alone.
“He was an apprentice and went on to grow his own career out of it,” explained Fern. “Everyone takes a risk when they go self-employed but my learning experience has given me the confidence to grasp this challenge with both hands.
“Think Local PR’s single goal is to improve and promote businesses. We offer our knowledge to find and create valuable audiences, and provide the power to engage them most effectively by creating high quality marketing.”
Last year, Fern also designed, developed and launched his own app called Think Deals which gives shoppers great bargains and helps retailers to save on their direct marketing costs.
He is now continuing to develop his own skills and is set to embark on an Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) course, a programme that is being introduced by Cambrian Training Company (CTC) for the first time.
“The AAT is an opportunity for me to grow even further and understand the fundamental basics of business finance that I can use in the future to better my company,” said Fern, who encourages more people to follow his pathway through apprenticeship training.
“I think more so than learning, vocational learning is a great way of developing and growing yourself. It has certainly given me opportunities which have resulted in great career achievements.
“From the first course, it gave me a working job and a nice alternative to college. As I did higher apprenticeships it gave me more knowledge and understanding, giving me a vision of what I could achieve.
“If you are unsure of what to do, and you have the availability to earn as you learn then this is ideal for you. Equally if you are currently employed on a full time basis, but want to develop your role or even strive for promotion, an apprenticeship course can help you by increasing your knowledge and in doing so switching your thought process to become more forward thinking.
“I am also grateful to the support from my training officer, Sheila (Coles), who has been a great mentor for me also. With her similar work history and experiences, she has really helped me along the way to get me thinking about each unit and related it to how I can improve the business.”
Fern describes his relationship with CTC as “amazing” and added that he has tried several other training providers and “I must say that Cambrian are by far the best”.
Sheila said Fern has been a model apprentice and expects his business to flourish as he incorporates more of his new skills into the workplace.
“I have worked with Fern now for four years and watched his self-confidence grow with each qualification he has gained,” she said. “I look forward to working with him through his next phase when I am sure he will embrace the AAT programme in the same way he has done previously with his other courses.”
