Walt Disney was right...

Celebrating National Apprenticeships Week

Helen Sanders, MD, Your People Partners

It’s safe to say that as an employer on a mission to grow our team here at Your People Partners, an apprentice joining us makes complete sense.

I’ve always felt that as a business owner, a business owner of a recruitment company, no less, and married to a teacher, it’s my duty to help people find new career opportunities. This has resulted in consistently exploring how an apprenticeship can help us, whilst we provide a nurturing and supportive environment for an apprentice to thrive.

Holly has only just joined us. Yet she is already making a contribution to the team and our marketing efforts. We hire for ‘team add’ as opposed to ‘team fit’. This means anyone who joins Your People Partners adds to the team in a variety of ways.?

We’re thankful there is a structured level 3 digital marketing apprenticeship, led by Working Knowledge, that suits our needs and meets what Holly is looking for in her career right now.

Here is Holly’s take on her journey to become an apprentice as we round off National Apprenticeship Week.

Holly Brown, Team Support and Digital Marketing Apprentice

National Apprenticeship Week has never felt more exciting to me than it does now. Why? Because this year it really hits home, and I couldn’t be happier.?

Much like many other students, I had no clue what I wanted to go into after leaving school. The pressure was too much, I had no real-life experience and making what felt like such a huge decision for my future caused a lot of unnecessary stress.?

I was young and extremely intimidated.?

Fast forward to turning 27 when I knew what I wanted (and what I really didn’t) but had no idea how to get there. From someone who spent years working in childcare, having the desire to transition into a Digital Marketing career seemed like an impossible task.

It’s not easy to make the financial commitment to going to Uni and to be honest, the idea just didn’t click with me. I’m 27… I have enough bills as it is!?

Investing months expanding my knowledge in my own time, I found freelance marketing jobs in the evenings and during my weekends. It was great for experience, but not realistic when it comes to that little thing called 'living'.

2022 was THE year!?

The year to dive into a career that I had longed for and take on a role that I actually enjoyed. That idea alone is something many people will tell you does not exist. No one actually enjoys their job, right?

As soon as 1st January appeared on the calendar, I wrote a list of everything I wanted and what I wasn’t prepared to negotiate on (big fan of manifesting right here). I am a hard worker with a lot of passion and I knew that there must be a role somewhere where I can learn whilst still making money… even at my age.

As it turns out, there’s a stigma around taking on an Apprenticeship. Even I’m a little guilty of assuming I had to be 16 years old and willing to work for pennies in exchange for knowledge and experience.?

That just isn’t the case.

Thankfully, I was lucky enough to come across an opportunity with Your People Partners that seemed too good to be true. I could work as an apprentice training with Working Knowledge and grow into the role whilst still making more than the National Minimum Wage.

It ticked off all my boxes and here I am!

This role (although still new) is everything I wished it would be and I get to say those rare words of “I love my job”. I am excited to continue learning, and I am proud to have found a great fit for me.

That stigma I was talking about… It popped up a few times when I handed in my notice. People are quick to assume I’m taking a step back because of my age, but I just don’t see it that way and I hope that people in my position feel the same and decide to finally take the leap.

Walt Disney once said:

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

I’m doing just that.

I hope you do to.

Becoming an apprentice is one of the best decisions I have ever made.