When I left school at 16, GCSE certificates in hand and uniforms graffitied, it felt like my peers and I were faced with a monumental decision: what were we going to do for the rest of our lives?
The options presented were to ‘go to college’, ‘go to work’, or ‘join an apprenticeship’. I had absolutely no career goals and I certainly didn’t feel like I could commit to doing one thing for the rest of my life. At that time apprenticeships were only offered for trades I wasn’t particularly interested in, and I didn’t know what job I wanted to do. I signed up for an art course the equivalent of five A levels, but it wasn’t long before I realised I was spending a lot of time, energy and money on something that wasn’t going to be of use to me in the future. I dropped the Art course and got a full-time data entry job in the rail industry.
Over the next 19 years, I still never really worked out what I wanted to do forever and the older I got, the more my CV had become an ‘A-Z’ of jobs and qualifications. To date, I have qualified as a Personal Trainer, a Hairdresser, and a Climbing Instructor, while also having worked as (in no particular order) a Project Manager, Waitress, Editorial Assistant, Video Press Officer, Photographer, Administrator, Personal Assistant and Removals-Woman. I’ve been offered every job I’ve ever been interviewed for (apart from one at the local library when I was 16) and I’ve always left jobs on great terms with my managers and colleagues.
In November 2023 I left a two-year stint as an Outdoor Activity Centre Manager where I had lived on site and worked 6 or 7-day weeks. Seeking a work-life balance, I spent two months applying for roles daily – I got one interview and was offered that role which I decided wasn’t for me.
Desperate to get back to work but having no luck with Indeed or local recruitment agencies, I turned to a local job-seekers board on Facebook. I briefly explained my situation and my experience and was contacted by a few small businesses who were seeking support with administration. I decided to go freelance to create a full-time portfolio career for myself, and one of my clients became Louise at Robinson Grace HR Consultancy. After a few months, Louise approached me to join Robinson Grace on an employed basis and made an offer to join the organisation as an HR apprentice and complete my CIPD Level 3 in People Practice alongside working for the busy, expanding HR Consultancy.
At first, I didn’t think I’d be able to agree to it – I imagined the apprenticeships they offered in school without a work placement for the first year and not getting paid. But when Louise explained how it would work for me and that I would be paid as any other member of staff, but that the cost of my study would also be covered, I couldn’t say no to the opportunity!
The idea of going back into education did terrify me – while I was very academic in school, my learning style has changed massively with age, and the delivery of education has changed with technology. My course would be delivered as distance learning through online webinars and guidance documents, and as I’ve got older, I’ve found that I can struggle to absorb and retain information without having the opportunity to engage in discussions and ask questions, so for the first few months I was anxious and constantly panicking that I was going to fail. After my first assignment was returned with a distinction (one mark less than full marks), I began to relax into it a bit more!
I do find it amusing to tell people I’m an apprentice at the age of 36, but I’ve found that my age and experience has been of benefit to my learning. The life experience and varied career that I have had so far have given me so many experiences to reflect back on, have allowed me to work with a variety of people and have given me the skills to manage my time and solve problems.
I really enjoy working in an HR consultancy – no two days are the same and I’ve already gained a huge amount of knowledge about employment law and business that I wouldn’t have gained elsewhere, both through my apprenticeship and through being in employment. I feel like I’ve found a career that I will enjoy for a long time, so I feel incredibly lucky to have been offered the opportunity to learn alongside my employment in order to get the most out of my role as well as my future career in HR.
Interested in reading my other blog? Menstrual Health at Work: The Impact on Your Employees and Your Organisation
For HR or Health & Safety support, including advice on apprenticeships, get in touch by emailing clientservices@robinsongracehr.com or calling us on 01793 311937.
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The content of our blogs is intended for general information and not to replace legal or other professional advice. National Apprenticeship Week
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