National Apprenticeship Week at Brooke Weston Trust

Your journey, our shared ambition: Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week

This National Apprenticeship Week, we’re celebrating the power of apprenticeships to open doors, build skills, and launch fulfilling careers. Apprenticeships offer the perfect blend of practical experience, learning, and career progression, helping individuals grow both personally and professionally.

We believe apprenticeships are invaluable because they provide:

• Hands-on experience in a professional environment.
• Industry-recognised qualifications that validate your skills.
• Opportunities for career progression within a supportive organisation.
• Structured development and clear pathways to success.

Across our community, inspiring journeys show how apprenticeships can transform potential into achievement. By combining ambition, guidance, and real-world experience, apprentices gain skills for life and the foundation to step confidently into careers they love.

Journeys, success, and a lot of ambition

To celebrate the week, we caught up with a few members of our community to see how apprenticeships have shaped their career paths and what 'skills for life' means to them.

An apprentice’s story:

Meet Josh, a HR Administrator at Brooke Weston Academy who recently finished a School Business Professional Level 4 Apprenticeship. Josh completed his pathway with the full support of his line manager and told us: “I would encourage anyone considering an apprenticeship to take the opportunity.”

He went on to explain his motivations for taking this route: “I chose this pathway because I have always been interested in how schools operate, but I wasn’t sure how to progress professionally. It was a time when I felt uncertain, especially about whether I wanted to specialise in HR.

“The apprenticeship provided valuable insight into how education and business operate together, helping me clarify my long-term career aspirations. I now aim to move into a School Business Professional role.”

Josh reflected on how his and his line manager’s shared ambition kept him going, even when it was tough: “While balancing study with work and personal commitments was challenging, the experience was highly rewarding, and both my line manager and the apprenticeship provider were really supportive. The skills and knowledge I’ve gained have already enhanced my current role and given me a fresh perspective on my potential.

“It was a challenge worth taking, and I’d encourage anyone looking to grow their career to take the leap.”

A manager’s perspective:

Theresa is a dedicated mentor who understands that nurturing talent is at the heart of our mission. As Head of Catering for Brooke Weston Trust, she has managed several colleagues through their apprenticeship journeys.

Theresa explains:

“To see apprentices progress is the greatest satisfaction I could have. As a manager, I see apprenticeships as a vital way to develop talent and strengthen our team. We support apprentices through structured on-the-job training, assigning experienced mentors who provide the guidance needed to build confidence and competence.

“I also ensure they have access to resources and opportunities to learn beyond the kitchen, such as shadowing roles above theirs, which supports their career development.

“The biggest challenge is balancing learning with the demands of a busy kitchen, but we overcome this by planning ahead and creating a culture where asking questions is encouraged. This approach ensures our apprentices feel valued, supported, and motivated, turning their ambition into long-term success.”

Start your journey

This National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect time to take charge of your career. With dedicated resources available this week, including the SharePoint Hub with guides and webinars, drop-in sessions to meet providers and ask questions, and career pathway resources, our colleagues have everything they need to explore opportunities and plan their next steps. Apprenticeships aren’t just for school leavers. Apprenticeships give you the chance to learn while you earn and gain practical experience, they’re for anyone ready to develop new skills. Whether you’re looking to progress in your current role or explore a completely new path, there’s something for everyone. It’s an investment in your career that pays off.