Across the board, universal benefits: Our Apprenticeships Performance Manager
At The Learning Foundry, our staff are passionate about what we do. Claire joined The Learning Foundry in May 2023 as our Apprenticeships Delivery and Performance Manager. She completed her first apprenticeship in 1997, and has used apprenticeship training to level up ever since.
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, it’s important for us to highlight the opportunities apprenticeships can provide, so over to Claire to tell us more about her journey.
“My first apprenticeship was in Early Years Education in a primary school setting. Even then I remember telling my assessor (what Development Coaches were called at the time) that I wanted her job.
“To be an assessor, I needed to have more experience, so I went and got it. I worked with children of all ages up to 16.
“It was my dream at the time to become an assessor, the ambition that I was working towards, and five years later I was working alongside her.
“I worked within that company for 17 years – and did a lot of training during that time. After my Early Years Educator Apprenticeship, I did my D32/33 course to become an assessor.
“By this point, the company had invited me to apply to become an Operational Manager, and I got it.
“In this role I completed my Team Leader and Management Apprenticeships followed by Preparing, Certificate and Diplomas to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector.
“With all these qualifications to become a Regional Operational Manager. This role covered all of Cumbria and the North West. The role itself was very stressful, I wasn’t at home very often which wasn’t ideal when I had a young family.
“Looking back, it was a lot, but it’s meant I have been able to provide great experiences for my family. I suppose that was the balance!
“Eventually, the provider shut down, but I carried on working with apprenticeships because it’s something I strongly believe in.
“Apprenticeships have allowed me to attain a good job without ever having to go to university. I have always known this wasn’t the pathway for me and never would have been.
“My story shows you can develop yourself and work your way up – using your apprenticeship as a stepping stone to leadership and management positions.
“I’ve gained so much from my apprenticeships – and they’re things I think that everyone who does an apprenticeship gains: knowledge, the opportunity to shadow others to gain best practice, and confidence in my own ability. These are across the board, universal benefits.
“Today Apprenticeship Standards tell you the knowledge, skills and behaviours that they’re assessed against.
“The Learning Foundry have a lot to offer their apprentices. Every single Development Coach is in their role to create an effective workforce for the future.
“For example, our coaches want their learners to understand the importance of workers in the housing sector getting things right at the beginning, to ensure every child has a safe and clean home to live, thrive and develop. Then that development cycle can start again.
“The Learning Foundry have something to offer everyone. One real positive thing about learning with us is that there is no right or wrong place to start. The Learning Foundry will find a starting point that’s right for you. Whether you’re unemployed and looking to find work, just finished school and trying to figure out what you want to do, looking to upskill in your career or take your first steps on the career ladder – there is something we can do to help you.
“We’re proud to offer as many opportunities as we can for people in our area – and we’re always looking to expand our offer. I would always say yes to more opportunities to learn.”
Ready to take your opportunity to learn? Find out more about our apprenticeships, here.