Opening Doors to Diverse Careers: NAW26

Apprenticeships: Opening Doors to Diverse Careers in Education

As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, it’s the perfect moment to shine a light on the incredible apprentices across our Trust, and the careers they’ve developed.

Apprenticeships offer a pathway into a whole ecosystem of rewarding careers across education. Thinking about jobs in education immediately brings to mind classrooms and teachers, but behind every successful school and MAT is a network of talented professionals in student support, administration, HR, IT, finance, marketing, and more. Apprenticeships offer a powerful entry point into these roles, combining qualifications with real-world experience and continued professional development.

Across our trust, dozens of colleagues have begun their journey this way, and their stories speak for themselves.

From Apprentice to Leader: Tasha’s Story

Whilst undertaking my A-Levels, I decided that University was not the route I wanted to take. I started looking into apprenticeships instead, so I could get hands on experience in a working environment whilst enhancing my education. I found that ATTFE were seeking an Admin Apprentice and secured the position in September 2012. I completed my Level 2 Apprenticeship in Business Administration and was offered the chance to stay a further year, completing Level 3.

Upon completion of my apprenticeships, ATTFE tookme on as a permanent member of staff, and I have been given so many opportunities to progress in my role since. This included the chance to complete a Level 6 Business Management Degree Apprenticeship, in which I achieved a First Class Honours in 2021.

Apprenticeships have been so valuable throughout my career, enabling me to build essential skills to aid my development, build my self-confidence and progress in my roles supporting local communities through lifelong learning opportunities. Apprenticeships give you the knowledge and baseline understanding of topics that you can then put into practice in the working environment.

Overall, my journey within ATTFE has been transformational and could not have been possible without my initial apprenticeship.

Growing Through Lifelong Learning: Charlotte’s Journey

Undertaking an apprenticeship has played a significant role in supporting and shaping my career path. It provided a strong foundation by combining practical, hands-on experience with structured learning so that I could apply theoretical knowledge directly in a working environment.

Through the apprenticeships, I was able to build confidence, professional discipline and a strong work ethic. Working alongside experienced colleagues gave me valuable insight into best practice, problem solving and effective communication in the workplace. Learning on the job helped me to identify my strengths, refine career goals and make informed decisions about my career development.

With my role in further education, the apprenticeship has been valuable in helping me support lifelong learning. Experiencing learning as an employee and a learner enhanced my empathy and understanding of balancing study, work and personal responsibilities. This insight has directly informed my practice, enabling me to provide more meaningful guidance and tailored support.

Overall, the apprenticeship has been instrumental in my professional and personal growth. It has equipped me with a strong commitment to lifelong learning of which will influence my role and impact within the sector.

Apprenticeships Across the ATT: Real Voices from Real Colleagues

ATT apprenticeships span a wide range of roles, and the experiences of our current and former apprentices highlight just how varied and rewarding these opportunities can be.

 

IT & Digital Support

Alex Leung began as a Level 3 Infrastructure Technician Apprentice- he says his apprenticeship provided “the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and learn from my colleagues, who supported me throughout my journey.” Alex progressed quickly, first to ICT Technician, then Network Manager within two years.

SEND & Classroom Support

Lucy Leaman, a Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprentice, describes her apprenticeship as the gateway to a fulfilling career: “It opened the door to a career in education… and allowed me to consider how I’d like to progress moving forward.”

HR & People

Simone Kerr, completing a CIPD HR Level 3 apprenticeship, values gaining professional knowledge alongside lived HR experience.

“My apprenticeship is providing me with knowledge on employment law/legislation and human resource practices that I reference every day”

Faith Mills, a Level 3 HR Recruitment Apprentice, highlights the independence and breadth of learning available, telling us it’s “providing learning resources, tools and information that can be applied to my role and wider HR work”

Senior Leadership

Aminah Javed, an Assistant Principal completing a Senior Leader MBA Professional Apprenticeship, said her course provides “opportunity to connect theory with the real complexities of education and school leadership.”

 The apprenticeship has given me structured time to reflect on practice, learn from evidence and research, and apply this learning directly […] next steps are to take on increased leadership responsibility that supports sustainable improvement and positive outcomes for pupils”.

 

These stories reflect a common thread: apprenticeships provide a strong foundation, meaningful support, and the confidence to grow.

Why Apprenticeships in Education Matter

Apprenticeships open the door to diverse career paths- from IT and administration to HR, community learning and curriculum design. They offer paid, practical experience alongside accredited qualifications, helping apprentices build confidence, professionalism and a clear sense of direction in their careers. Within our Trust, offering apprenticeships allows us to support talent development and is a significant part of our award-winning PD offer.

We’re proud to support all our amazing apprentices, who bring fresh perspectives, emerging skills and new energy into our teams!