Apprenticeship changes “threaten to pull up the ladder”

In our recent newsletter celebrating National Apprenticeship Week, we shared many stories of people whose careers have benefited from management and leadership apprenticeships. With these programmes now under threat due to the removal of government funding, it was encouraging to see the response. So many in the CMI community took the time to write to us to share their experiences. The picture they painted was of apprenticeships truly transforming their lives – and equipping them to do the same for others.

New beginnings

In her response, Louise Graham CMgr FCMI FIC explained that apprenticeships had changed her life not once, but twice. As a young person in the 1990s, she was able to use the Youth Training Scheme to bolster her education. When she reached her late 40s, while working as an operations director in the charity sector, she embarked on a CMI Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship to help defeat her imposter syndrome. That gave her the belief to open her own management consultancy at 50. 

“I know, unequivocally, that I would not be here without apprenticeships,” wrote Louise. “My story is just one example of how apprenticeships can change lives at any age. It helped me silence my internal doubts, validate my experience and fully step into my leadership potential.” 

Augmenting and updating skills

Victoria Murden also reflected on a long career (35 years in her case), which has included a career break; retraining in children’s care, learning and development; and ten years working in early and primary education. She’s now working her way through a second apprenticeship – the Senior Leader Apprenticeship at York St John University, where she works in the finance department.

Victoria shared how the apprenticeship is formalising and augmenting all the experience she’s gained throughout her career. 

“I am learning theory and seeing how it translates into practice, building on past experiences and bringing it up-to-date for my current employer,” wrote Victoria. “The knowledge, skills, behaviours and confidence it has given me has been life-changing, opening so many doors to gaining an insight into my workplace. I have helped write strategies and become involved in projects that I never would have been involved in, were it not for the apprenticeship.”

Shaping careers

The stories kept coming. Nigel Champion CMgr FCMI, who also manages his own consultancy, described his 45-year career, and how a CMI-backed apprenticeship helped him when experiencing redundancy. He was able to use the skills he gained through his studies to help his family business survive closure.