#LearningMatters Blog: My Journey through the Apprenticeship Degree
Over the past year, I have been making strides on my latest learning journey. Thanks to the support from NOE CPC and my line manager last year I was encouraged to embrace getting back into academia, by taking part in a Digital Marketing Apprenticeship Degree.
With opportune timing for this month’s theme of #LearningMatters, and after recently completing the first-year requirements I am thrilled to be progressing into Level 5, and I would like to share my experience so far.
To start with I think it is worth noting that this has only been made possible due to the apprenticeship levy and the opportunities provided by our host Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, who were instrumental in helping me to access this programme. With it, I have been able to simultaneously work, learn, and grow on both a professional and personal level. Although there have been times when juggling work, academic commitments, and personal life have been challenging, the payoff is genuinely worth it, and the idea of having that little bit of paper validating that I can do what I say has been driving me every step of the way.
My favourite part of learning through an apprenticeship is ability to apply the learning in the real world. My newly gained knowledge in digital marketing has already proven to be invaluable for me and the rest of our communications and marketing team.
Since day one of starting the learning I have appreciated just how valuable and applicable these subject matters are and how much they can be used to benefit our customers. The insights I have taken from this process have helped me to stay ahead of trends and changes and work to translate them into user-friendly formats, that can actively enhance our interactions and service provision to our customers.
On a personal level I am someone who has at times struggled with confidence, but this course is offering much more than a degree. It is a validation of my capabilities and a reassurance that I am well-equipped to excel in my role. Every small accomplishment along the way is boosting my confidence, and encouraging me to keep striving to aim higher.
My manager and the teams I work with have all been wonderfully supportive throughout this learning journey and we're collectively envisioning the future we want to build, our ongoing education plays a crucial role in shaping it. The skills and knowledge I am acquiring are not just benefiting me; they are enabling us to provide a more personalised service to our busy customers.
As a learner who thrives more on practical learning rather than traditional exam-based approaches, the apprenticeship suits my style perfectly. I have always been an advocate for apprenticeship programmes having undertaken others at foundation levels in the past and I encourage anybody who is on the fence about taking this step, to reach out to their in-house learning team, because I do not regret my decision for a moment, and I'm eager to proceed to the next level.
Although my course is still in its relative infancy it has already taught me that learning truly does matter. It is an ongoing process that continues to shape me personally and professionally.
#LearningMatters not just to me, but to everyone in our organisation, and this blog series is testament to the NOE CPC’s commitment to continuous growth and improvement, truly epitomising our values of integrity and caring.