National Apprenticeship Week real stories

We have supported many local people through apprenticeships within our own departments. Our astounding apprentices have amazing stories to share - where they started, how they have progressed up the apprenticeship ladder and where they are now.

For Mansfield District Council trainee, Josh Peck (24), his apprenticeship path started in one area - customer service - and took him to another: the ICT department where he is now studying for a degree in Data Analytics. 

He started looking at the apprenticeship route, a year into doing his A-levels, as an alternative to studying at university.

"I had friends who were doing apprenticeships locally and they were enjoying them and had money to spend!" he said. "Everyone should consider an apprenticeship as a valuable route to achieving their career aspirations.  

"The whole experience has been excellent and the support has been brilliant in all the departments I have worked in. I feel my confidence has grown to a very high level as well as my organisational skills and people skills.

"I will be continuing on my learning journey for another 18 months. I know this is the career for me and I would love to stay at the council if possible."

Stacey Tebbett works as a Trainee Auditor in the Law and Governance department at Mansfield District Council. She combines her office job with studying for a Higher level apprenticeship qualification. 

She said: "Since I started working for the council I haven’t looked back. This apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to learn something new, with a guaranteed job at the end - all done during working hours and funded by my employer.

"I think the words 'apprentice' and 'apprenticeship' are often misunderstood. Many people may think it refers to someone straight from school and on very low wage.

"Apprenticeships are available to anyone of any age who wants to learn and succeed. I am 28, with lots of previous work experience and a competitive salary. 

"The support that I have received from my training provider is great, equally the support from the council has been fantastic with opportunities to shadow in meetings, audits and testing to give me knowledge and confidence to build on my own skills.”

Laura Wright was considering a career in the Police Force until paid office work made her consider an apprenticeship.

Laura said: “While studying Public Services at college, I secured a part-time administration role which made me realise that an office-based role played to my strengths so I decided to look for an administration apprenticeship.

“I completed my level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship in the Licensing team at Mansfield District Council over 18 months. I then progressed onto a level 4 apprenticeship in Licencing and Enforcement. My role continues to be administration based, but I have taken on additional responsibilities including visits to premises and I lead on issuing taxi licences.”

“The council is a good place to work, with very supportive staff and I have made friends here. I hope to progress within the council’s enforcement team. Alternatively, I can use this qualification to progress externally into any public service career pathway.

“I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone as you get the qualification and the experience, but you are also getting paid!”

Sharna Youngs was studying for A-levels when she decided university wasn’t the path for her. Instead, she did a level 2 customer service apprenticeship at Mansfield District Council.

She was offered a permanent job within the Contact Centre, which deals with all incoming calls and emails. Sharna then progressed to do a level 3 apprenticeship before gaining two promotions. 

Sharna said: “I enjoy working at the council and due to the nature of my role I’ve worked with various teams across the organisation. I couldn’t ask for more supportive colleagues and would recommend anyone to consider a job here.

“I am completing a qualification through the Institute of Leadership and Management and I am due to start a new role in March. The level 3 apprenticeship was a turning point for my career and my confidence. I realised my own potential and it gave me the confidence to put myself forward for opportunities that in the past I may not have considered.”

Trainee HR Advisor Megan Nelson has ambitions to reach the very top now that she’s successfully completed an apprenticeship.

“Throughout school I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted to do next. My school seemed to push university but after being accepted on to a teaching course, I decided to look at apprenticeships instead.

“I became a Business Administration Apprentice within the HR department at Mansfield District Council. Being an apprentice at the council has really improved my confidence and self-esteem and I can do things that previously seemed impossible. The support that has been offered to me has been second to none and the good work-life balance is also really important to me.

“I hope in the future to progress further up the ladder in HR and the business environment hopefully becoming an Adviser one day, Senior Adviser, manager and possibly Director / CEO if I am able to and I put the work in to attain those goals.”