It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2025, and we’ve picked our own theme this year, to showcase the journey (our) apprentices take as they evolve on the job – From Learners to Leaders. Apprenticeships are more than just earning a qualification; they’re about gaining real-world experience, building confidence, and setting yourself up for long-term success.
For businesses, apprentices bring fresh ideas, energy, and new ways of thinking, helping to bridge the gap between education and the workplace. And for apprentices, it’s a chance to kick-start a career with hands-on experience preparing them to become leaders of our business community.
At Fresh Nous we’re big believers in the power of apprenticeships. We’ve seen firsthand how they help people grow both in their roles, and as leaders. We’re proud to be Investors in People accredited, recognising our commitment to supporting our team’s growth and success, and apprenticeships are a huge part of that journey.
So, to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we’re shining a spotlight on our brilliant apprentices, sharing their stories, what they’ve learned, and where they’re headed next.
The Power of Apprenticeships
Celia shares her thoughts on the power of apprenticeships…
“As Managing Director, I’ve had the privilege of welcoming apprentices into my team many times over the decade long Fresh Nous journey. I’ve seen the immense value they bring to our business. Apprenticeships help foster innovation, energy, and fresh perspectives that can invigorate an entire organisation. In more recent times we’ve also utilised apprenticeship schemes to upskill existing team members – adding new skills into the team and creating leaders for the business.
One of the most rewarding aspects of having apprentices in my team is witnessing their passion and enthusiasm. They bring new ways of thinking, challenge established norms, and contribute creative solutions that might otherwise be overlooked. Their eagerness to learn and grow is infectious, inspiring the rest of the established team and fostering a culture of continuous development.
To any business considering adding apprentices to their team or making use of apprenticeship schemes to build skills within their existing workforce, I’d remind them that it’s essential to recognise that taking on an apprentice is a business investment in time and commitment. You get out what you put in. Providing guidance, mentorship, and opportunities for hands-on experience requires dedication, but the rewards far outweigh the effort. When you invest in someone’s learning, you’re not just shaping their career – you’re strengthening the future of your team, business and industry.
Apprenticeships are a two-way street. While they gain valuable skills and knowledge, businesses benefit from a motivated, engaged workforce that is eager to contribute. By nurturing apprentices, we’re not only supporting individual growth but also ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of our industries.”
Meet Our Apprentices – Their Journeys & Aspiration
Dani, Digital Marketing Executive
After completing university and graduating with a bachelor’s degree in dance and musical theatre, I was forced to rethink my career due to sustaining a severe injury. With the world as my oyster, I looked into digital marketing and quickly realised this was what I wanted to do; however, I wasn’t qualified in this field. For me, going back to university wasn’t an option as it’s expensive and didn’t give me the opportunity to gain experience, so instead I looked into apprenticeships.
As I’m gearing up to finish my apprenticeship, I can safely say this route was the perfect decision. It has allowed me to retrain in a whole new industry while I’m working and getting a true feel for what it’s like to be a marketer. I don’t regret my choice to go to university, but I would highly recommend thinking about if you need the degree to enter your chosen industry, or if gaining hands-on experience would be better for you.
My goal beyond my apprenticeship is to develop my niche as a marketer and to continue growing and building my career. I feel confident that completing an apprenticeship has given me the foundations to achieve my goals, and I’m looking forward to seeing them come to life.
Esther, Content Marketing Executive
Choosing the apprenticeship route straight after completing my A-levels was an easy decision for me. I have always loved the learn-and-practice approach that apprenticeships offer. Even though my first industry experience wasn’t the best fit, it made me realise just how valuable apprenticeships can be. So, I decided to explore a different industry and with that came the opportunity to stick with the apprenticeship path, which I am incredibly grateful for.
I favour apprenticeships over going to university as they allow you to dive right into real-world tasks and apply your knowledge as you learn. This has been incredibly beneficial for me, switching my career choice, as I have gained a lot of hands-on experience and practical skills from my incredible colleagues and our clients.
My future goals are pretty clear – I would like to complete my apprenticeship, gaining the best possible results and becoming a confident and knowledgeable marketer. This route is helping me to recognise my strengths and applying them effectively. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me and how my apprenticeship experiences will shape my career.
Anca, Digital Marketing Manager
I’ve been in marketing for over five years and now work as a Digital Marketing Strategist. With a first-class degree in Marketing, Advertising & PR, and lots of commercial knowledge, I had a really solid foundation, but I knew that stepping into leadership required more than just technical know-how. That’s why I took on an apprenticeship in Leadership and Management – to bring new ways of working into our business, build my confidence, and develop the skills to lead a team effectively.
Now, as I near the end of my apprenticeship, I can see just how much it’s helped me grow. From learning how to mentor others to making strategic decisions and nurturing new opportunities, this experience has been a game-changer. I’ve gone from executing strategies and campaigns to leading them, and I’m excited to keep pushing forward as a leader in my field. My ambitions, once I complete my apprenticeship, involve continuing to refine my leadership abilities, using my strategic expertise to drive business growth and eventually becoming a thought leader in the industry.
From Learners to Leaders – What’s Next?
How apprenticeships build future industry leaders
The journey from Learner to Leader isn’t always a straight line, but with the right support, apprenticeships provide a solid foundation for long-term career growth. At Fresh Nous we’ve seen firsthand how this education path builds young professionals into industry leaders and helps them unlock new opportunities to develop. Many of our apprentices – including those in our current team – have used their training to step up into leadership roles, take on more responsibility, and make a real impact in the business.
Fresh Nous Success stories
Georgia’s Story: Georgia started with a Level 3 Digital Marketing apprenticeship, then progressed to Level 4, building her skills and confidence along the way. Her dedication and experience paved the way for a leadership role in a large local organisation, proving that apprenticeships can be powerful stepping stones to senior positions.
Josh’s Story: During his Level 3 Digital Marketing apprenticeship, Josh discovered a passion for coding through one of his modules. This newfound interest led him back to university to study Computer Game Design – a career path he never would have considered without his apprenticeship experience.
Both stories highlight how apprenticeships open doors, unlock new passions, and set people up for exciting careers – whether that’s progressing into leadership or discovering a whole new industry.
A Big Thank You to Our Apprentices
National Apprenticeship Week is all about celebrating learning, growth, and the future of business – and we couldn’t be prouder of our apprentices. They’ve stepped up with curiosity, drive, and a hunger to succeed, proving just how powerful apprenticeships can be.
But it’s not just about them. Apprenticeships bring fresh ideas, new energy, and future leaders into businesses like ours. Investing in them means investing in the next generation of talent.
So, as the week wraps up, a huge thank you to our apprentices for their hard work! Thinking about hiring or becoming an apprentice? Go for it—you never know where the journey might lead.
Got an apprenticeship story? We’d love to hear it!
#MakeWorkBetter #NAW2025 #FromLearnersToLeaders
