National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) takes place between 5 to 11 February 2024 to celebrate the achievements of apprentices around the country and the positive impact they make to communities, businesses, and the wider economy.
To mark the week, we sat down with some of our colleagues who told us about their experience so far of undertaking a professional qualification.
Hi, my name is John and I am currently studying to complete my apprenticeship in Leadership and Operational Management. I started the course in December 2022, thinking at the time what a daunting experience it was, returning to education while working full time. The time completing the apprenticeship has absolutely flown by.
I can’t believe it has been over a year already and I have been progressing well through the modules and there is an end in sight! Being able to complete the apprenticeship while working, is not something to take likely, it does require hard work and dedication, but there is opportunity and scope to be able to complete the learning and learn new skills while on the job. The staff at both Changing Lives and the training company Elisha have been excellent, and have provided additional support where needed if necessary.
During my journey, I have been developing the skills to be an effective manager and leader. Being able to apply the learning to my every day role has given me opportunities that I have not had before, and since my journey began, I have received a promotion at work and currently working as a project lead for two services working with young people.
If I had not undertaken the training I don’t think that I would have had the confidence or the knowledge to be able to undertake this position. Being given this opportunity does really change lives.
I joined Changing Lives back in June 2021 as a level 3 data apprentice. It was my first corporate role and I had no prior data experience. I went on to complete that course and achieve a distinction, and I am now studying for the Level 4 Data Analyst qualification. I have loved my time studying - It has helped me develop my self-confidence as well as vastly improve my knowledge of data analysis. This has then helped me gain more responsibility in my role.
I cannot thank Changing Lives enough for giving me this opportunity and supporting me in my personal development, and I would strongly recommend an apprenticeship for anyone who is considering it.
"I am nearing the end of my Operations/Departmental Apprenticeship, With ILM Level 5 Certificate for Leaders and Managers. At times it has been hard to balance workload with my studies, however the further into my course I have gone, the easier this has become, blocking out time (sometimes evenings and weekends) to ensure I am up to date with course work.
This course has been the driving force behind my development as a service manager. I started at the same time I took on my role and have continued to learn and more importantly implement my learning into the service and with my team.
I really feel that it has helped me to develop and grow within my role and enabled me to look at what it means to be a leader, who supports others in their growth and development."
When I originally joined Changing Lives, I had just started my AAT Level 4 qualification. Changing Lives were excellent in supporting me through this qualification with the finance team helping me with any queries in my studies or evidence I needed for the completion of the course. I have now passed my Level 4 AAT studies and I am due to move on to a Level 7 ACCA apprenticeship. The knowledge I have gained from my AAT studies and moving into ACCA has helped secure my knowledge within finance and accountancy up to international standards and hopefully I have and can continue to assist and upskill the finance department.
I am 16 months into a 2-year Level 5 apprenticeship in Operational and Departmental Management. The course in fascinating as it is all based on business psychology and emotional intelligence.
Having a degree and master’s degree in psychology (albeit it a very long time ago!) it really floats my boat and I always look forward to the next module. The apprenticeship is great because they really encourage you to apply what you are learning, meaning the new methods, techniques, approaches and behaviours become ingrained into current work and business.
I feel I have learnt so much, and it has hugely increased my confidence as a manager. I just wish there were more hours in the week to complete the studying and research as it can be a juggling act a lot of the time around a busy job and home life! It will all be worth it in the end though.
Find out more about how we commit to the development of our staff alongside other benefits here.
