Hello everyone, and welcome back to another monthly blog! February has been a whirlwind of excitement, and I can’t wait to share everything that’s been going on. Not only have we celebrated National Apprenticeship Week, but it’s also been LGBTQIA+ History Month — a time to reflect, honour, and push for continued progress. Let’s dive in!

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) – A Thrilling Experience

This month, I had the privilege of leading our National Apprenticeship Week campaigns at work, and let me tell you, it’s been such an exhilarating experience! One of the highlights of the week was visiting two schools alongside, Alonzo Simpson. We headed to Fernwood Secondary School and to The Ripley Academy — my old school and sixth form! It was incredible to talk about apprenticeships, share my personal story, and encourage students to consider this valuable career path.

For me, this experience was a big confidence booster. Speaking to large groups isn’t something I’m naturally comfortable with, but I did it, and it felt amazing! I was able to show these students that apprenticeships are a legitimate and rewarding option. Being able to stand in front of my former teachers and peers was especially meaningful — they got to see just how much I’ve grown and how much my apprenticeship has helped me gain confidence in such a short time.

Sharing My Story: Case Study & Media

At the start of the week, something incredibly exciting happened: my case study, filmed by Arch Communications for the East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, was released! It felt incredible to share my journey with others, especially knowing that my experiences might inspire someone to consider an apprenticeship. The entire filming process was such fun. I had the opportunity to work with a fantastic team, and I even learned a bit more about filming, which was a great bonus to my experience.

Along with the case study, we launched our “Meet the Apprentice” campaign, which was a huge success! It was great to give past and present apprentices the opportunity to tell their own stories. Something I found cool was the fact that even though we are all apprentices at the same organisation, we all have very different stories to tell, and it was interesting to learn about everyone’s background.

We also released some fun ‘shorts’ from our sofa session with Joe Mcloughlin, the host of our Let’s Go Further podcast. In these videos, I was joined by former apprentice Ben Saxton, and Rahima Ashraf, a current apprentice. We had a blast filming it was both insightful and hilarious! We got along so well, and there’s even talk of putting together a bloopers reel, which could be a lot of fun!

Working Together: Blog Collaboration

Another highlight of the week was collaborating with other apprentices to write a blog entitled “Why Apprenticeships from the Perspective of an Apprentice“. It was so rewarding to come together as a team and share our collective experiences. It serves as a powerful reminder of how apprenticeships can transform lives, and we all felt passionate about giving this route the recognition it deserves.

Apprenticeships offer many benefits, and it’s important to keep talking about them. They provide real-world experience, professional growth, and the chance to learn while earning. So, it’s crucial that more people understand their value as a pathway to success.

LGBTQIA+ History Month – Reflecting and Fighting for Progress

February is a month for reflection and recognition. While we recently celebrated National Apprenticeship Week, it is also LGBTQIA+ History Month—a time to acknowledge the rich history of the LGBTQIA+ community, celebrate our progress, and recognise the work still to be done. This month provides an important opportunity to reflect on the journey towards equality and the ongoing need for positive change.

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, these issues are particularly close to my heart. I sometimes worry about access to healthcare, safety, and the future. While it is inspiring to see how far we have come, we also recognise that challenges remain, and it’s so important to ensure minority voices are heard.  It’s vital to continue raising awareness, particularly among those who can influence policy and drive further progress. This includes ensuring access to inclusive healthcare, promoting safety, and fostering a society where everyone feels valued and respected. Remembering the past strengthens our commitment to building a more equitable future for all. I am proud to work for an organisation that believes, as I do, that everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and celebrated for who they are.

Moving Forward

As we reflect on the importance of National Apprenticeship Week and LGBTQIA+ History Month, I encourage you to keep pushing for change, share your story, and uplift others who may need your support. Let’s continue to make space for conversations about apprenticeships and the LGBTQIA+ community, as both deserve recognition, respect, and acknowledgement.

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next blog!