From Apprentice to HR Partner: How Apprenticeships Shape Careers at Gloucestershire College

Sarah, what motivated you to pursue an apprenticeship rather than traditional academic routes?

I initially went to sixth form college following on from secondary school as I had no concept of what I wanted to do long term. At that point in time felt it was the only option, especially given that it was what most of my friends were doing.

How did you choose HR for your apprenticeship?

Just by luck! At sixth form I realised that it wasn’t what I wanted to do or the environment I wanted to be in post-secondary school. I would keep an eye on websites like Indeed for apprenticeships of any kind and ended up finding my first recruitment administration apprentice role, which was within the HR team here at GC. This role allowed me to complete a Level 3 apprenticeship in Business Administration. I wanted to carry on progressing in HR and later I went on to completing my Level 3 HR Support apprenticeship.

What was being an apprentice like?

I found being an apprentice really enjoyable. I was able to develop in my role while strengthening my knowledge of HR and business admin. My team were always so committed to my development and supporting me in my role, especially as it was my first time in an office environment.

What were some of the most valuable skills you learned on the job?

Through my apprenticeships I was able to learn so many transferable skills which have helped me in my career. The most important being workload management, communication and working both independently and as part of a wider team.

Did you receive any additional training or certifications that helped you grow?

Through the course of my apprenticeships I received a huge amount of training and support, including an ICT course, Employment Law updates, internal training sessions on a variety of topics, CIPD webinars and much more. My team has always encouraged me to engage with all development opportunities that became available, and this really helped me grow professionally.

What are some of your proudest achievements during your time as an apprentice?

Being an apprentice allowed me to find a career path that I am passionate about and to develop all the skills I needed to progress in my career. I started this journey as a complete novice and have since then progressed to a HR Partner. Also, I have been able to go on and complete my L5 HR qualification and look forward to eventually completing my Level 7. Being able to continuously develop in my role as well as successfully engaging and completing all elements of my apprenticeship was a really proud accomplishment.

How were you supported throughout your apprenticeship?

Both my line manager and my assessors gave me so much support throughout my apprenticeships, whether it was helping me with my assignments/modules, finding ways for me to do better, but also being patient as it was my first time doing a real job in an office environment.

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship in your field?

Do it! I couldn’t recommend it enough. I thoroughly enjoyed doing my apprenticeship alongside working as I was able to learn so much and develop so many key skills crucial to my chosen career.

How do you think apprenticeships benefit young people or career changers compared to other forms of education?

For me, it was the perfect next step after school, as I knew that sixth form and university weren’t the right fit. Apprenticeships are a great option for those who want hands-on experience, prefer learning on the job, or aren’t sure which career path to pursue. There are so many fantastic apprenticeships available across various fields, and they provide an excellent opportunity to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge.