Tell us a bit about your apprenticeship role. 

I registered onto the Solace Level 5 Leadership & Management programme in June 2022, which has involved completing a range of modules around communication, business planning and financial practices. As part of this programme, I have submitted learning journals, and a portfolio where I have documented practical experience of having applied the learning I have developed from the journals. I am currently at the start of the last stage of the programme which involves completing an end point assessment in April 2024. 

What made you want to do an apprenticeship? 

I wanted to undertake some formal professional development and learn more about areas I have little exposure on such as business planning. This has helped me understand how the work that we do, helps inform the organisations visions and goals. 

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship? 

Set aside the time that you need to focus on your apprenticeship programme, and the tutors are there to support you – use them as a resource. 

What have you enjoyed most about your apprenticeship? 

I have enjoyed meeting other learners who registered on the programme, learning from them and having a small community of people where we all collaboratively helped each other and openly shared our knowledge. 

How do you manage your work-life balance with completing an apprenticeship? 

I had to experiment a little to find the right work-life balance for me, which was frustrating at first. Once I found a pattern that worked for me, I set aside time in my diary, and forward planned the days when I can focus on my apprenticeship 

Anything else you’d like to add? 

During the programme, I was offered free professional coaching session from a learner on Solace’s coaching programme. These sessions really helped me work towards some work-related goals that I wanted to achieve, and it helped enhance some of the learning from the programme.