The theme for this years National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Skills for Life’, focusing on how apprenticeships can provide a strong foundation for a rewarding and successful career, and how they help businesses to build a talented workforce with future-ready skills.
Nick Antill-Holmes – Service, Compliance & Quality Manager is just over halfway through the UCQ Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CDMA), which combines a BA (Hons) Professional Management degree with the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership. Nick started his course at the same time as he took on a new role within the business, so we spoke to him about how this course has helped him to achieve excellence both in his personal development and his career progression.
How has your apprenticeship benefitted you?
The apprenticeship has given me an increased knowledge and skillset as I develop into my new role. It has given me the confidence to utilise my learning and allowed me to put my skills into practice as I settle in to managing a new team.
What skills and knowledge have you developed through the apprenticeship?
I have been able to develop my people-leadership skills, adapting to become a more well-rounded disciplinarian than I was before. I have also been able to learn about how the wider business operates, including current financial processes and techniques.
How will it help develop your future career?
The programme is tailored to be generic and therefore apply to my own day-to-day working, meaning the skills we develop will help to make us better managers in the future.
Would you recommend an apprenticeship to other people?
Yes, I would recommend this to anyone because of the valuable knowledge it has taught me and the way I have been able to implement my skills as I have learnt them. However, anyone considering an apprenticeship should carefully weigh up the pros and cons, as studying and working at the same time can be quite tough going.
What has been the most interesting part so far?
As it is not a typical apprenticeship and most of our learning is done remotely and online, the most interesting part is the way in which we work. Also, getting an insight into the different sectors that other people on the course work in is quite eye-opening.
Why did you choose to complete an apprenticeship?
I chose to do the programme as when it was offered, I felt it was the right time for me. I often tend to think of others and ensure they are developing and pushing themselves without doing this myself. The CDMA caught my eye, so I thought why not give it a go and develop my own learning whilst working at the same time.
Our apprentices play a vital role in the business, with the CDMA helping to nurture our existing talent and develop those individuals into leaders of the future. Launching the management degree programme demonstrates our commitment to our people and highlights our determination to achieve excellence.