Jolene Swann, General Manager, currently on her Level 6 Chartered Manager Programme

What skills have you developed the most since starting your apprenticeship?
Since starting my apprenticeship, I have developed my leadership and management skills the most. Being able to better support and motivate my team, manage performance, and confidently make decisions has helped me grow as a General Manager. I have also improved my strategic thinking by looking at the bigger picture and understanding how different areas of the business contribute to overall success.

​​What has been your most valuable learning experience so far?
The most valuable learning experience has been being able to apply what I have learned through my apprenticeship directly into my role. Using real workplace situations for assignments has helped me reflect on my management style, improve processes, and make more informed decisions thatbenefitboth the team and the business.

​What keeps you motivated at this stage of your apprenticeship?
Moving on to my second year of the Level 6 Honours Degree in Operational Management is a big achievement and motivates me to keep progressing. I enjoy challenging myself and developing new skills that I can use in my role. Seeing the positive impact that my learning has on my team, the customer experience, andthe overalloperation keeps me focused on achieving my goals.

​What do you see as the next step in your development?
The next step in my development is to continue building my strategic leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding oforganisationalchange and business improvement. I want to further develop my ability to lead larger projects, support long-term business objectives, and prepare myself for future senior leadership opportunities within the leisure industry.

Mohamed Louail, Assistant Manager, currently on his Level 5 Operations Manager Programme

What skills have you developed the most since starting your apprenticeship?

Since starting my apprenticeship, I’ve developed my communication and leadership skills the most, especially when supporting my team, giving clear instructions, and handling day-to-day challenges.

What has been your most valuable learning experience so far?

My most valuable learning experience has been applying what I’ve l earned into real work situations, like managing tasks, solving problems, and supporting my team more confidently.

What keeps you motivated at this stage of your apprenticeship?

What keeps me motivated is seeing my own progress and knowing I’m making a positive difference in how my team works and performs.

What do you see as the next step in your development?

The next step for me is to keep building my leadership skills, become more confident in decision-making, and take on more responsibility within the team.

Mossamma Begum, Library Assistant, currently on her L3 Library, Information, Service and Archive Programme

​What skills have you developed the most since starting your apprenticeship?

​Since starting my apprenticeship, I have developed my customer service and communication skills the most. Working in a library environment has helped me become more confident when assisting a wide range of users, from work experience students, volunteers and the general public. I have also improved my IT and digital skills, particularly with library management systems, cataloguing, and supporting users with online resources. In addition, my organisation and time management have strengthened through handling daily tasks and responsibilities effectively.

​What has been your most valuable learning experience so far?

​My most valuable learning experience has been working directly with library users and understanding their needs. This has taught me how to adapt my approach, whether I am helping someone find resources, use digital tools, or access study spaces.

​What keeps you motivated at this stage of your apprenticeship?

​What keeps me motivated is seeing the positive impact I can have on people’s learning and access to information. Knowing thatI’mhelping someone find what they need or making their experience easier isvery rewarding.I’malso motivated by the fact that I am continually developing new knowledge skills and behaviours in this apprenticeship and building a career pathway in the library and information sector. 

​What do you see as the next step in your development?

​The next step in my development is to build more confidence in taking on independent responsibilities, such as managing senior tasks or projects within the library. I’d also like to deepen my knowledge of specialist areas, such as digital resources, archives, or reader development. Long term, I aim to continue progressing within the sector, working towards a senior role or within the management team.

​Jamie Lewington, People Administrator, currently on his Level 3 Business Administration Programme

What skills have you developed the most since starting your apprenticeship?​

Since starting my Business Administrator Level 3 apprenticeship as a People Administrator, I have developedstrong communication,organisation, and stakeholder management skills while gaining confidence in supporting administrative processes.

What skills have you developed the most since starting your apprenticeship?

My most valuable learning experience has been applying the knowledge from my apprenticeship to real workplace situations, which has helped me understand the importance of effective people administration.

What keeps you motivated at this stage of your apprenticeship?

What keeps me motivated is seeing my progress, continuing to learn new skills, and contributing to a positive employee experience.

​What do you see as the next step in your development?

The next step in my development is to deepen my HR knowledge, take on more responsibility, and further develop my problem solving anddecision making skills to support my future career growth.

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​Lisa Walsh,Children’s Centre Strategic Lead, currently on her Level 5 Coaching Professiona Programme

​What skills have you developed the most since starting your apprenticeship?

​Since starting the Level 5 Coaching Professional Apprenticeship, I have developed my coaching skills significantly, particularly in active listening, effective questioning, reflective practice and supporting others toidentifytheir own solutions. The programme has strengthened my ability to create meaningful conversations that encourage self-awareness, personal growth and positive change.

​What has been your most valuable learning experience so far?

​One of the most valuable aspects of the apprenticeship has been learning the difference between managing, mentoring and coaching. As a senior leader, it can be tempting to move quickly into problem-solving, but coaching has taught me the value of creating space for others to think, reflect and develop their own answers. This has had a positive impact on both my professional practice and the way I support colleagues and communities.

​What keeps you motivated at this stage of your apprenticeship?

​I am motivated by the opportunity to use coaching to empower others and improve outcomes for individuals and communities. Seeing the impact that high-quality coaching can have on confidence, resilience and personal development reinforces the value of the learning and keeps me committed to theprogramme.

​What do you see as the next step in your development?

​I would like to continue developing my coaching practice and explore opportunities to make coaching more accessible within community settings. One idea I am particularly interested in is the potential for coaching conversations to be offered within libraries. Libraries are trusted community spaces where people often seek information,reassuranceand support. In the future, it would be exciting to explore how coaching could be used in these environments to support people returning to work, navigating life transitions, buildingconfidenceor exploring new opportunities.I believe thereis significant potential for coaching to play a role in helping communities thrive and become more resilient.

Nathan Egerton – Community Sports Manager, currently completing his Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner 

What skills have you developed the most since starting your apprenticeship?

Biggest skill that I have developed has been my capacity to critically reflect on my leadership style as Community Sports Manager in Camden. The apprenticeship has givenmythe opportunity to implement changes directly within myday to daywork across the partnership.As well, thein depthteaching of systems thinking and how to solve complex issues has allowed me to look at problems ina different wayand take different approaches to solving them. 

What has been your most valuable learning experience so far?

So far it has been my efficiency with time management, balancing my apprenticeship learning hours with my 'usual' work has made me value organising my calendar and meetings appropriately

What keeps you motivated at this stage of your apprenticeship?

The knowledge that I am always growing with the process has kept me going, the course is difficult and a level 7 education is not meant to beeasybut the challenge so far has hadgreat resultsfor me and my team. Feedback from my tutors has been particularly motivating, regardless of the results I amachievingthey have beenpresentevery step of the way to support me. 

What do you see as the next step in your development?

The next step for me is finishing the programme!

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