of what an apprenticeship was before starting work on the project, but through the research for the workshop and the online CPD session, I feel very confident in advising young people and staff working with students about the topic. I also feel that I now have a better understanding of how competitive the apprenticeship market is for students to access, particularly the context around NHS careers.
I also feel that my research skills have developed further through the project when finding up to date information on the topic. As well as investigating the different barriers some students face when applying to apprenticeships, this topic in particular is varied so finding reliable resources and information to include in the online session was challenging at times. Compiling this research into the session in a way that was clear to session attendees reaffirmed this knowledge I had developed.
Post-16: Leading this project has honestly been eye-opening for me. I’ ve learned so much more about Degree Apprenticeships than I ever expected— not just the basics, but the real nitty-gritty of how they work and what opportunities they open up. It pushed me to really understand the different pathways and what students might need to know, which was both challenging and rewarding. I’ ve also grown a lot in how I manage a project like this— coordinating with the SUN Progression Mentors, adapting the content based on their feedback, and making sure everyone felt confident with the delivery. It showed me just how important clear communication and preparation are, especially when working with different colleges that all have their own ways of doing things. One thing that really stuck with me was how much mindset and expectation management matters. At first, some mentors worried students would switch off because Degree Apprenticeships seemed complicated to apply for. But seeing how small changes in how we presented the information made such a difference really taught me about the power of framing and engagement. All in all, this experience has made me more confident in leading similar projects in the future— and more aware of how to support others to feel confident too.
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