TELL US HOW YOU FIRST BECAME AN APPRENTICE:
My journey into becoming an apprentice began with a desire to deepen my professional capability while continuing to contribute in my role within the NHS. I had reached a stage in my career where I wanted a structured way to strengthen my expertise in strategic people practice, leadership and organisational development. After exploring options such as internal development programmes and standalone master’s degrees, the apprenticeship route stood out because it offered the right balance of academic learning and practical application.
The Level 7 Senior People Professional Apprenticeship felt like the right fit as it built on my existing experience while allowing me to apply new knowledge directly in my day-to-day work. Starting the apprenticeship was an exciting step and felt like a natural progression in my career, giving me the opportunity to formally develop my leadership and strategic skills while continuing to make an impact in my role.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CURRENT APPRENTICESHIP ROLE:
In my current role at NHS England, I work as a Programme Manager leading complex programmes that involve multiple teams, stakeholders and delivery partners. My role focuses on ensuring strong governance, clear planning and effective coordination so that programmes run smoothly and deliver positive outcomes for the organisation.
More recently, I have also taken on the role of Service Desk Lead, which has added an operational leadership element to my responsibilities. This involves overseeing how issues and service requests are managed, improving processes and ensuring users receive a reliable service. The Level 7 Senior People Professional apprenticeship supports this work by strengthening my strategic capability, leadership behaviours and understanding of people-centred approaches, which I can apply directly in my role.
TELL US WHY YOU WANTED TO BECOME AN APPRENTICE AMBASSADOR:
I wanted to become an Apprentice Ambassador because I’m passionate about the value of apprenticeships and the difference they can make at every stage of someone’s career. My own experience has shown me how powerful this route can be — not only in developing professional capability, but also in building confidence, broadening opportunities and supporting career progression.
As someone who started an apprenticeship later in my career, I’m keen to highlight that apprenticeships are not just for school leavers. They are a valuable pathway for people of all ages who want to develop, retrain or progress. Through the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, I want to share my experience, challenge misconceptions and encourage others to consider apprenticeships as a meaningful way to grow and succeed in their careers.
