Top tips for becoming an apprentice in Chesterfield

By Mollie Brown - 3 February 2023

Becoming an apprentice offers many benefits to help progress your career in a chosen sector.

What better way to learn about apprenticeships than straight from local apprentices? We spoke to the following individuals to find out why they became an apprentice and how it’s benefitting their career. They also share some top tips around becoming an apprentice.

1. Learn on the job

Meet Lewis Atkins, Level 3 Business Administration apprentice at Mortgage 1st. He said:

“In school I was introduced to apprenticeships. I just knew it was something I wanted to do. I wasn’t interested in going to college, sixth form or university. I think most people who take on an apprenticeship would agree, they would rather get out there and start learning in more ways than just being taught in a classroom.”

Lewis’s advice…

Keep working hard, the end result will be worth it!

2. Gain a qualification whilst earning

Elicia Allott, Level 3 Digital Marketing apprentice at Superior Wellness, explained:

“I decided university wasn’t for me so explored apprenticeships within the marketing field online. I thought an apprenticeship would be a smooth way to change career, gain a qualification and experience whilst being paid.”

Elicia’s advice…

Make sure the apprenticeship is within a field you have a genuine passion for and enjoy.

3. Boost your confidence and knowledge

Henry Kay, Level 2 AAT apprentice at BusinessWise Accountancy and Tax, expressed:

“I am enjoying developing my knowledge in accountancy and as a result getting more responsibility. My apprenticeship has allowed me to be able to run payrolls for clients and also get certified on three of the main bookkeeping systems used by the company. I am already adding value to the business.”

Henry’s advice…

It’s a great way of continuing to learn in a field without having to go to university and, unlike a normal college course, you are earning a wage while you learn.

4. An alternative learning path

Martha Bramwell, Team Leader / Supervisor apprentice at Junction Arts, said:

“I have severe dyslexia and struggled at school so had to look at other ways I could stand out on my CV. My parents and school encouraged me to look at different ways I could achieve my career ambitions and an apprenticeship, which combined on-the-job learning with assessment, enabled that.”

Martha’s advice…

Work hard, be nice and you’ll do absolutely fine.

5. Platform to change both career and sector

Jake Taylor, Level 3 Digital Support Technician at Addooco IT, explained:

“I was a chef for five years after leaving school. I fell into it from washing pots in the kitchen. Lockdown came and I realised I wanted a change of career, something which I could be more interested in and passionate about. An apprenticeship gave me the ability to change career but also get a qualification along the way to support me in a long-term career in the IT sector.”

Jake’s advice…

Do it! There’s an apprenticeship in every field you can imagine and to be able to earn alongside learning is a great benefit.

6. Progress your career

Ria Smith, Level 3 Business Administration apprentice at Peak Pharmacy, said:

“Progression is really important to me, and my employer recognises this so has offered me more opportunities to learn. I was assigned the new uniform distribution to over 1500 staff. I love it. It’s all down to me, the ordering, distribution, etc. Moving up within Peak Pharmacy is what it’s all about for me.”

Ria’s advice…

Go for it! Having the chance to get first-hand experience on the job while getting a qualification is an amazing opportunity and can really help set off your career in the right direction.

7. Learn from colleagues with years of experience

Nathan Marriot, Level 3 Business Administration apprentice at Chesterfield Royal Hospital Foundation Trust, explained:

“My apprenticeship has gone beyond my expectations. I never thought I’d have the relationships I do have in the workplace. They not only make each day more enjoyable, but you can learn from the people around you.”

Nathan’s advice…

If you choose an apprenticeship, don’t just go in and do your job, listen to your colleagues, because they have already been in that career for a long time so they have made mistakes and gone through failure but that means they have learned and developed. This will help you more than any book, video or piece of college work.

8. Age is no barrier to an apprenticeship

Meet Wendy Blunt, Level 3 Community Health and Wellbeing Worker at Chesterfield Borough Council. Despite having an already established career, Wendy used an apprenticeship to gain qualifications within her current role in a cost-effective way, proving that age is no barrier to an apprenticeship. She said:

“I’d been looking for relevant courses for quite a few years to accompany my role but never found anything suitable or, if I did, they were very expensive. My manager and HR found this apprenticeship. It was the cheapest way to get a new qualification or do a relevant course.”

Wendy’s advice…

Make sure it’s what you want to do and that the subject matter is relevant to your role. Also make sure that you’ll have time to be able to complete the assignments.

9. Gain experience in the field

Emma Catley, Degree Apprentice Quantity Surveyor at Woodall Homes, said:

“I chose to do an apprenticeship to learn more about the role of a Quantity Surveyor and hoped it would help me to succeed in my degree. Being in the workplace is allowing me to acquire new skills whilst getting my qualification.”

Emma’s advice…

Get an apprenticeship with the right company; one that allows you to get hands-on experience within your workplace, enables you to gain knowledge from your colleagues and mentor and provides helpful exposure to learn how to get things done in the real world.

10. Upskill your career

Emily Steeples, Level 3 Compliance and Risk Officer at Rosewood Wealth Management, explained:

“I became an apprentice because I wanted to upskill and learn more about the financial services industry, especially the compliance side of the business. With the support of my directors and tutors, I enjoy the learning element of my apprenticeship which complements my job as a financial services advisor.”

Emily’s advice…

For anyone considering starting an apprenticeship, I’d advise them to make sure that they are passionate about what they will study; it will make learning so much more exciting.

Abigail Denman, Level 3 Mortgage Advisor at Rosewood Wealth Management, added:

“I began my apprenticeship because I wanted to gain new knowledge and experience in the financial services industry. Completing my apprenticeship alongside my job as a mortgage administrator allows me to actively put into practice new skills whilst in the workplace.”

Abigail’s advice…

If you enjoy learning in depth about something you’re interested in, I’d recommend that you start an apprenticeship.