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Nothing about my career path was “traditional”; honestly, that made all the difference. From coming to the UK with no GCSEs to working in a global bank, I’d say it worked out well. It’s okay not to have it all figured out or for your initial plans to fall through. It took me a while to understand what truly worked for me and to explore the options I didn’t even know existed, especially after takin
Hi, I’m Janka and on 1 May 2025, I was named West Yorkshire Apprentice of the Year . It still feels surreal to say that out loud. Even more special? My mentor and manager Ian Brewer won Mentor of the Year on the same night! This blog is about how I got here, what I’ve learned and what this award means to me. 🌱 Why I Chose an Apprenticeship At 17, I made a big decision. Instead of going to universi
My name is Jasneet Grover, I’m 21 years old and currently enrolled on J.P. Morgan’s Level 6 Financial Services Degree Apprenticeship programme. I come from an Afghan Sikh background, and my journey into the world of finance has been anything but traditional. Before starting my apprenticeship, I was in sixth form. While most of my peers were applying for university, I found the idea uninspiring. I’
The Idea of an apprenticeship… Back in school, my understanding of apprenticeships was pretty clear-cut: they were a last resort—manual roles with limited career progression. Fast forward a couple of decades, and I’ve completed two apprenticeships, navigated two major career changes, and unlocked opportunities beyond my wildest dreams. When I left school, my goal was to earn a university degree, s
Early Life and Education From an early age, I displayed a preference for activities and toys traditionally considered unconventional for girls. At the age of seven, I enjoyed remote-controlled cars, LEGO, and train sets far more than dolls or Barbies, though I did have some. These early interests hinted at a budding passion for engineering and problem-solving. My fascination with planes and the ae
At the start of Year 13, I still didn’t fully understand what a degree apprenticeship actually was. I was quite lucky to be in a school where multiple post-18 options were discussed, my school did talk about apprenticeships, we had a few presentations and mentions, but university was clearly the main focus. Most of the guidance, attention, and support was directed at the UCAS route. Apprenticeship
"Hello, I'm Hannah, and I'm a Solutions Architect Degree Apprentice at AWS." Something as simple as introducing myself was impossible just five years ago. Today, I want to share how introverts like myself can not only survive but thrive in sales apprenticeships – a journey that might seem counterintuitive at first glance. From as far back as I can remember, I was the typical quiet child at the bac
My name is Daisy and I am a Buying and Merchandising Apprentice at Amazon HQ. I am sure that many of you reading this were in a similar position that I was this time last year. Trying to balance both A-Level revision and apprenticeship applications is tough, but looking back I would do it all again to get to where I am now. How I began my Journey at 17 From the age of 14 I was adamant that I wante
In my last year of school, I had no idea what career path I wanted to pursue. I’ve admitted this openly to my colleagues and it often gets an interesting reaction as most people in my line of work have always had some sort of interest or passion for markets before joining the industry; I did not relate to that. However, one thing I did know is that I didn’t want to progress onto further education
Hello, I’m Esme Roberts, a current level 3 data analyst apprentice at HSBC. I have worked at HSBC for just over a year and I am now nearing the end of my foundation level apprenticeship, after taking an “untraditional” route to begin my career. New Beginnings At 16, after completing my GCSE’s, the thought of completing another 2 years of A levels didn’t sound particularly appealing to me, so I beg
Introduction: The Big Decision When I was 18, I was faced with a decision that many young people struggle with — what comes next? My A-Levels were still unfinished, and while many of my friends already knew exactly what they wanted to do, I had no clear path ahead of me. Should I take a gap year? Go to university? Or try an apprenticeship? The uncertainty felt overwhelming at times. Little did I k
Why Wait? “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X This quote speaks to me as a call to action, the future is ours to shape, so why wait? I’ve always moved fast, knowing what I want and where I want to be. Uncertainty never sat well with me, and with the tech industry never slowing down, cybersecurity moves even faster with new threats emerging daily and vulnerabilities
Starting my apprenticeship applications was initially overwhelming. Even today, while there are more resources and advice available, as an aspiring apprentice you may feel out of your depth, unsure about how to stand out but one thing I have learned is that success often lies in making the first steps no matter how small. Three Hard Truths I Learned Along the Way 1: Becoming comfortable with being
My professional journey has been anything but linear. Marked by significant milestones as well as unexpected setbacks, my path has taught me that challenges can become the catalysts for growth. I will share my experiences, from an intensive apprenticeship at JP Morgan to a transformative degree apprenticeship in Data Science, demonstrating how apprenticeships can open doors, build essential skills
Having worked in local government for six years, I was getting comfortable. Too comfortable… I’ve always been the type to challenge and push myself. I never liked to sit idle. But my current job was simple, straightforward, and I was pretty much set for life. I got my first job at my local council at the age of 18 through an apprenticeship, which opened so many doors and allowed me to progress wit
