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, so I enrolled in Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management at Loughborough. But before the course began, inspired by stories of adventure from my globe-trotting uncles and aunts, I deferred my entry to spend a year volunteering and travelling in the Peruvian Amazon. One whole year in the jungle—what’s not to love?

Nothing! In fact, I loved it so much, I found a new calling: travel.

The world as my classroom…

After cancelling my university place, I spent a lot of time figuring out how to combine my love for travel with something that could pay the bills. That’s when I discovered distance learning. I still got the degree I’d dreamed of - this time in English & Spanish from the Open University.

The Open University opened my eyes to the possibilities of blending work and study. It gave me the chance to grow and develop while contributing meaningfully in the workplace.

While studying, I took my first tentative steps into teaching. It started briefly in Madrid, took me to Budapest, then back to Spain - before catapulting me around the world. I earned my TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualifications and began planning my next destination.

Learning and working became deeply rooted in my life. For 10 years, I travelled the world, teaching in places like Italy, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.

Time for change…

As that decade came to a close, I felt inspired to try something completely different. I returned to the UK, swapping the classroom for the kitchen, the curriculum for a cookbook, and students for hungry customers. That’s when my apprenticeship journey truly began.

Already a firm believer in the power of working and studying, I explored ways to switch industries. Unlike what I remembered from school, apprenticeships now seemed like a viable, even exciting, option. I took the plunge and enrolled in a Level 3 Senior Production Chef apprenticeship.

For nearly five years - starting with that apprenticeship - I worked in a variety of restaurants and catering environments: French, South American, Asian fusion, banqueting, and more. Those experiences shaped who I am today. They gave me a platform to develop creativity, focus on service, and appreciate not just content, but presentation and visual appeal - things I had sometimes taken for granted.

The mind of an analyst…

In one of my final chef roles, I pitched an idea to improve restaurant processes. A senior manager responded, “You have the mind of an analyst.” It was the first time anyone had said that to me - and it stuck.

I started researching what it meant to be an analyst, and I got an itch I couldn’t ignore. I knew my manager was right. I had the mind of an analyst - I just needed to plant it in the right environment and see what would grow.

In January 2022, I began searching for analyst roles. But the barrier to entry felt high. Most of what I found were data entry jobs - and that wasn’t me. Then it clicked: why not look at apprenticeships?

Suddenly, everything opened up. I applied for roles at EY, HSBC, Lloyds, Liverpool FC, and KPMG. One of the great things about data analyst roles is their versatility - you can move across industries and explore a wide variety of work. Still, I was selective, looking for a supportive environment with strong values and a great culture.

After several interviews, I received multiple offers. I chose Lloyds because I enjoyed the assessment centre and believed in the difference I could make there.

Making a difference through apprenticeships…

Fast forward 32 months: apprenticeship completed, promotion earned, and I now work as a Senior Analyst in the Transport Experience & Insight team.

I’ve been:

·      Highly Commended Multicultural Apprentice (2024)

·      Named a Workplace Role Model (2024 & 2025)

·      Employee Brand Champion (2024)

I sit on the Black Business Advisory Committee Shadow Board, serve as a regional lead for one of our colleague networks, and perform a similar function in the Transport space. I’m also an Apprentice Ambassador, championing apprenticeships as a way to break into the corporate world - or to make that long-overdue career change.

Smashing myths…

In my day job, I work with data, explore why things happen, and help build solutions to improve processes and digital experiences for our customers.

In my side-of-desk roles, I mentor, host events, educate, entertain, speak publicly, and bang the drum non-stop for apprenticeships.

Without apprenticeships, I wouldn’t have explored the culinary arts or built a profile in the financial sector.

What can apprenticeships do for you?

It’s never too late to find out. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to pivot, apprenticeships can open doors you never imagined.

Use Placer, start looking today…

Philip Hocking

Senior Reporting & Analytics Analyst / Transport DE&I Co-Lead / BOLD Regional Lead / Black Business Advisory Committee Shadow Board Member /

You can find out more and connect with Philip on LinkedIn.